Feast of Saints Simon & Jude
October 28 is dedicated to the lesser known disciples, Saints Simon and Jude. St. Simon was known as the zealot, because he belonged to a radical Jewish sect. According to Acts 1:13, he was present in the upper room of Jerusalem with the 11 apostles after Christ ascended to heaven. According to church tradition, he served as a missionary in Egypt and was martyred in Persia.
St. Jude, also known as Saint Jude Thaddeus is renowned and loved throughout the world as the Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes. Scripture relates that St. Jude was the brother of the apostle St. James the Less, and that they were related to Our Lord. One of the New Testament epistles is attributed to St. Jude.
He is the Patron Saint of impossible causes and desperate situations,perhaps because the scriptural Letter “Epistle of Jude”, which he authored, urges Christians to persevere in difficult times. During the centuries, the Church encouraged the faithful to venerate this apostle and maintained that those who came to him in faith in their time of need had always been given some grace, answer, or consolation.
At the Last Supper, St. Jude addressed Jesus, “Lord, why is it that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” (John 14:22). Our Lord then spoke of how anyone who loves Him will be true to His word, in turn His Heavenly Father will love him, and together they will send the Holy Spirit.
Prayer to St. Jude
Oh glorious apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered thy beloved Master into the hands of His enemies has caused thee to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes thee universally as the patron of hopeless cases–of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so miserable; make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded thee of bringing visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (mention your request), and that I may bless God with thee and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise thee, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to thee. Amen.
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