Paint your own saint

St_Jude Originally uploaded by knitomatic.

Saint Jude is one whose aid is sought when all hope is lost, especially in grave health matters and life-and-death situations. It is customary to make a vow that if he helps when called upon, one will publish a notice of thanks in the newspaper. Thus there often appear in the Personals column of newspaper classified ads ex-votos to this effect. The typical wording is a terse, "Thank you, St. Jude." Each one of those notices represents a prayer that was answered by Saint Jude.