Statue of Saint Jude Thaddeus in the church of Saint Brigit of Sweden in Van Nuys - photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht 2010 - click on image to enlarge.Saint Jude Thaddeus is a much beloved spiritual presence among Roman Catholic and other Apostolic Christians. One of the 12 disciples of Jesus, he was largely neglected by medieval Christians due to his name "Judas" easily confused with Judas Iscariot the betrayer of Jesus. Since he was forgotten about, a devotion to Saint Jude grew as the protector of the forgotten - or as the patron saint of hopeless cases. For generations those with cancer were considered hopeless. The great performer Danny Thomas promised that if Jude would protect him in his effort to become a successful entertainer, he would in turn build Saint Jude a hospital for cancer-ridden children.
Detail stained glass window depicting the Sacrament of Penance or Confession of sins and a redirection of life. Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. 
Statue of Saint Brigit of Sweden - mystic and Christian saint. She was born on the 23 of July 1373 as Birgitta of Vadsterna in the Uppland of Sweden. Here she wears the crown of the Swedish royal family. 
American servicemen and women honored in the vestibule of Saint Brigit of Sweden Catholic Church in Van Nuys. The church is located at 16711 Gault Street west of Havenhurst beyond Van Nuys Airport and south of Sherman Way.
