In 2010 award winning author and national inspirational speaker Chad Judice began sharing an incredible story of faith, hope, love and the power of prayer about his son Eli. A sixteen week ultrasound revealed that his second child had been diagnosed with a birth defect so severe that 80% of the couples who receive this diagnosis choose to terminate the pregnancy. Chad and Ashley prayed for a miracle. A story that transcends its glaring pro - life message and invites listeners to embrace and unite their personal cross to Jesus Christ and His; to do with them now what He did with His then. Take what the modern world would say is a tragedy and turn it into a triumph. (Colossians 1:24,29)
Chad Judice is a nationally recognized motivational speaker, an award-winning author, and former teacher in the Theology departments of two Catholic High schools in Lafayette, Louisiana for seventeen years.
He is the author of three inspiring pro-life, pro-faith books whose central character is his second son, who was born with spina bifida. The books are WAITING FOR ELI: A Father’s Journey from Fear to Faith; ELI’S REACH: On the Value of Human Life and the Power of Prayer; and GROWING WITH ELI: Our Journey into Life and Light. ELI’S REACH was named the best book by a small publisher in 2013 and Growing with Eli received honorable mention in the category of Family life in 2019 by the Catholic Press Association.
His articles have been published in the New York Post, The National Catholic Register, and The Word Among Us. He’s been a guest on national TV and radio shows, including EWTN’s The World Over Live, Catholic TV’s Seize the Day, and Catholic Answers Live.
Chad is a Master Catechist with certificates in Theology, Apologetics, Philosophy, Church History, Old Testament, and New Testament Studies from the New St. Thomas Institute, run by Dr. Taylor Marshall and is currently the Director of the Office of Catechetics for the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Where he assists Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel in handing on the Deposit of Faith Jesus Christ revealed to the Apostles and provides catechetical resources and oversight to 121 Church parishes and 32 Diocesan schools. In the last 10 years, he has given presentations to more than 100 audiences in 17 states, addressing Man to Man conferences, Pro-Life gatherings, leading retreats, and conducting parish Lenten and Advent missions.
He is the host of the podcast entitled The Art of Suffering: Our Mess Becomes God's Message. Chad invites listeners to take 30 minutes of their day to be inspired, challenged, receive, and share real-life stories of those who chose not to settle for who the world said they should be, but rather are walking the path that leads them to become who God created them to be, a saint. Jesus Christ perfected the art of suffering at Calvary. When we respond to His invitation to participate in that suffering by uniting our cross to His, God takes our mess and transforms it into His message. (See Jn 3:14 - Col.1:24,29) The podcast can be accessed on Itunes and Spotify and can be shared on all social media outlets to individuals who could benefit from its unique content. Suffering is a gift and should be embraced, not abandoned for a false sense of comfort and temporary pleasure that always leaves our human nature longing for more. The mystery of who we are and conviction for something greater than ourselves can only be found in the cross of Christ because there is never Easter Sunday in our life in the absence of Good Friday.
-God in Hardships - Waiting for Eli: A Father's Journey from Fear to Faith - A husband and father chronicles his spiritual journey from fear of one’s personal limitations to self-abandonment to the divine mercy of God’s providence. The story of his spiritual progression, as he prepares for the birth of his son Eli, functions as a profound testimony to the Gospel of Life and to the underlying truth that faith is perfected through trial and suffering. The speaker takes the universal pro-life message of the sanctity of human life and uses it to illustrate how the life of one child can sanctify the lives of the community of believers who witness to the power of prayer.
-God in Hardships: Eli’s Reach: The Value of Human Life and the Power of Prayer - Often in life the weak are used to lead the strong. Special needs children are instruments used by God to make His work in the lives of others visible to them. A father shares the immeasurable impact his son's imperfections have had on teenage and married couples in troubled pregnancies, infertile couples longing for a child, incarcerated prisoners, and an unexpected medical emergency on Easter Weekend 2011 that led to a bonafide miracle saving Eli's life that could lead to the canonization of a saint in the Catholic Church.
-Motivational - Growing with Eli: Our Journey into Life and Light - Often we are so busy being the main character in the story we are writing we forget we are only the supporting cast in the one God is. At times, we can all be instruments that make God's work and presence in the lives of others more visible to them. However, Eli does this in the life of his father and others in a unique and transforming way. Chad shares with honesty the struggles of marital life amidst a set of extraordinary circumstances as well as coming to terms with the reality that although he prayed relentlessly for God to change his situation, the situation was instrumental in allowing God to change him.
-Apologetics - Answering Atheism: Philosophical Principles of Catechesis - Many parents feel a growing gap between how they received the Catholic faith and the best way to hand it on to their children in a growing secular culture. Recent polls shared by Bishop Robert Barron at a conference of Bishops show 50% of millennials are leaving the Catholic Church by age 13 because they cannot reconcile the claims of Christianity with science and prefer a culture of moral relativism and self-invention. In reality, their lifestyle of unending passing pleasures reveals they are silently searching for something more. Does God exist? Can Faith and Science coexist? What does it mean to be human? Do we really have a purpose? This talk explains the scientific evidence pointing toward the existence of God, defines the dignity and integrity of every human person, and shows the necessity of moral absolutes as the foundation for everyday human experiences and behaviors.
-Apologetics - Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - The entire credibility of Catholic Christianity hinges on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. If it happened, it validates everything Jesus said and did in his public ministry. If it didn’t, then as St. Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiful people of all.” Enlightenment thinker David Hume proposes that if someone believes a miracle happened they are either lying about it or have been lied to. In any given situation, if a miracle is more unbelievable than the most common outcome, then the most common outcome is what happened. This talk examines the historical facts surrounding the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in order to put David Hume’s theory to the test and would certainly shock this deceased so-called enlightened philosopher.
-Theology of the Body - Loving vs. Using - There are growing numbers of young adults today who are depressed, isolated, and struggling to find meaning in life. Lacking deep and authentic friendships many fail to realize that what they do doesn’t define who they are. Human persons long to be loved, have a feeling of value, desire to be part of something beyond themselves, and look for some personal gift that sets them apart from others. When these things are lacking in their lives they often seeking fleeting pleasure rather than eternal fulfillment. In doing so, they fail to see their own dignity or that of the person next to them. This mindset leads to individuals subconsciously becoming something to be used instead of someone who is loved. This talk shares a message of how authentic friendship, death and loss, and the embracing of a tailored maid cross by Christ for our unique situations are necessary to abandoning who the world claims we should be and be transformed into the person God intended us to be.
Endorsements & Testimonials for Chad's Presentations:
"Mr. Judice spoke recently at our annual South Carolina Catholic Men’s and Women’s Conference. Wow! He was outstanding. His story is a powerful and moving witness of faith and courage. The story was well received and climaxed at the close with a combination of a standing ovation and shedding tears; even by men. Expecting this to be just another pro-life story, I was blown away with how it encompassed a Catechesis of the Catholic faith while leaving attendants with newfound inspiration and conviction to become who God created them to be." - Tom Monahon, South Carolina Catholic Men’s Director, South Carolina State Council Knights of Columbus
"Chad Judice recently spoke at our annual Weekend for Life in Little Rock, Arkansas. His message resonated with everyone in attendance and related in a real-life way the benefit of prayer it's a key role in recognizing God’s presence in our individual lives. His witness from beginning to end both grabbed and held the attention of our youthful audience who were noticeably touched and eagerly sought him out afterward for more of what he was offering. I would recommend Chad Judice for any audience. He is energetic, sincere, and a dynamic speaker." - Liz Tingquist, Youth and Campus Ministry, Diocese of Little Rock
"Chad Judice is an important speaker to which so many people in many different circumstances can relate. As a parent of a special needs child, he speaks to all Moms and Dads concerning the fears, challenges, and most importantly the rewards of embracing God's will for our lives. As a husband, he speaks to women and men about the beautiful and unique role men have in the marriage and family. And last but not least as a pro-life activist he provides a loving yet compelling case for the cause of life from conception to natural death. Chad has been an engaging and interesting guest on my nationally syndicated radio program and I would highly recommend him for a parish retreat, major conference, or pro-life gathering." - Teresa Tomeo, Motivational Speaker, Best Selling Author, Syndicated Catholic Talk Show Host
Endorsements & Testimonials for Chad's Books:
Waiting for Eli A Father's Journey from Fear to Faith
"In Waiting for Eli, Chad Judice chronicles his spiritual journey from fear of one’s personal limitations to self-abandonment to the divine mercy of God’s providence. The story of his spiritual progression, as he prepares for the birth of his son Eli, functions as a profound testimony to the Gospel of Life and to the underlying truth that faith is perfected through trial and suffering. The author takes the universal pro-life message of the sanctity of human life and uses it to illustrate how the life of one child can sanctify the lives of the community of believers who witness to the power of prayer. It is always a singular grace when God inspires us to be courageous and hopeful through the lives and sacrifices of others who persevere, especially one as young as Eli Judice." - Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Chair of Committee for Pro-Life Activities (2009 - 2012), U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Eli's Reach: On the Value of Human Life and the Power of Prayer
“In today’s increasingly secular society, many people question whether there is any basis for including reference to God in the narratives of our lives. In “Eli’s Reach: On the Value of Human Life and the Power of Prayer”, Chad Judice provides powerful testimony to the reality that Jesus is present to us here and now, in fulfillment of His promise to be with us always. The message of “Eli’s Reach”, following the occurrence of complex medical challenges, is fully accessible to all readers: prayer is indeed powerful and it changes people’s lives for the better. “Eli’s Reach” will make a positive difference in your life, please join me in making this inspirational book a “must-read” for you and all whom you hold dear." - Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM, Cap. Archbishop of Boston, Chairman of Committee of Pro-Life Activities (2011 - 2015) U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
“Growing with Eli – the third book in the trilogy about Eli’s early years will lift your hearts and minds to see the presence of the Lord in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life. It will help you to recognize each and every person’s life – at all times and in all circumstances – as a gift from God. I highly recommend Growing with Eli and Chad Judice’s previous books to all who would benefit from accessible and moving accounts of the goodness of the Lord present in our lives.” - Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM, Cap. Archbishop of Boston, Chairman of Committee of Pro-Life Activities (2011 - 2015) U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
References:
Bishop Douglas Deshotels – Diocese of Lafayette, LA
