There is not much know about the life of St. Jude before he became one of Jesus’ apostles. Both Jude and his brother, James, decided to follow Jesus, and it is important to note that Jude is not the same person as Judas Iscariot.
Many Biblical scholars believe that Jude’s mother, Mary, was a cousin to the Virgin Mary, making Jesus, Jude and James cousins. In the gospels of Matthew and Mark, there is no mention of a “Jude”, but they do mention a “Thaddeus.” Some scholars believe that Judas Iscariot tarnishes the name (Jude and Judas are the same name in many languages). They believe that “Thaddeus” is a nickname given to Jude. Not everyone believes that Jude and Thaddeus are the same person, but there are other people in the bible with two names, such as Simon Peter.
In the Bible, St. Jude asked Jesus, “’Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.” (John 14:22-24). St. Jude is the author of a very short epistle (letter) in the Bible; the epistle of Jude.
It was rumored that, after the Ascension of Jesus, Jude preached in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. Scholars debate how he died, but many believe that he was martyred and that his remains were brought to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
In the years after his death, many people made pilgrimages to see St. Jude’s remains, and many of them said that their intercessions were answered, giving St. Jude the title of, “The Saint for the Hopeless and the Despaired.” St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bernard both received visions from God, where He asked them to pray to, and accept, St. Jude as the patron saint of the impossible.
In images of St. Jude, he is often seen with a flame above his head, meaning that he was present at Pentecost, a club, and an image of Christ, known as the Image of Edessa.
According to legend, many people did not want to pray to St. Jude, for fear that they would instead pray to Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus. In Heaven, St. Jude wanted to help those on earth who asked for his help, so he would assist those who were in the most difficult situations. Through his help and intercession, people began to pray to the “forgotten” saint to help them in their dire moments.
Activities to Try:
+ Help those around you who are in dire situations and need help
+ Pray to St. Jude, asking him to help you in your difficult moments, but to also help those around you in theirs.
Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus
Saint Jude, glorious apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of; pray for me, who am so miserable; pray for me that finally I may receive the consolations and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (add your intentions), and that I may bless God with the Elect throughout Eternity. Amen.
St. Jude
Pray for Us
Comments