Computer crash leads boy to write a book about St. Jude

Published: 2004-04-06

PITTSBURGH (CNS) -- For 14-year-old Michael Aquilina III, the idea of writing a book about St. Jude began several years ago when he was experiencing problems with his computer. "It was actually a hard-disk crash on a really old computer," recalled Michael, who was about 7 years old at the time. "I was having trouble solving it." He ended up going to a church that one of his friends attends and where there were St. Jude prayer cards. The youngster asked for the saint's intercession. A few days later Michael was at a Goodwill store and found the software that solved the problem. Michael was convinced he found it through the intervention of St. Jude, the patron of lost causes. "I guess that's what started my devotion to St. Jude," he told the Pittsburgh Catholic, newspaper of the Pittsburgh Diocese. Michael has written "Saint Jude: A Friend in Hard Times" ($14.95). The 78-page book, aimed at children ages 10-14, was published this year by Pauline Books & Media, which is operated by the Daughters of St. Paul.

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