St. Jude is a the beloved “Patron of the Impossible” and “The Saint for the Hopeless & Despaired”. Not much is known about him, but he is definitely a powerful intercessor for us.
Encourager & Missionary
St. Jude was a relative of Christ and St. Jude wrote one of the epistles of the Bible that comes right before Revelation (aptly called the Book of Jude!) Most notably, he was one of the 12 apostles and has also been called Thaddeus (possibly to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot, the traitor, which I totally understand). It is believed that he and St. Bartholomew brought Christianity to the Armenians (among other nations and people groups), and he was martyred In Armenia or Beirut.
St. Jude’s epistle speaks strongly against the heresies of his time, but also encourages all believers to persevere in the faith. The book only has 25 verses (it is the 5th shortest book of the Bible, in fact!). In verses 20 – 21 he says, “But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” His encouragement in the epistle and his appearing to several saints throughout history as the “Patron of the Impossible” is above all why we invoke him for our hopeless causes.
St. Jude’s bones lie next to St. Peter’s at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and, moreover, he shares his tomb with the remains of St. Simon the Zealot (maybe why they share a feast day too?).
Why a ship?
St. Jude was one of Christ’s apostles and made many voyages spreading the Gospel all over the ancient world. St. Jude is also the patron of hopeless causes and many times an anchor is the symbol of hope, so the ships and anchors go hand-in-hand!
Who would be friends with St. Jude?
- Those struggling with seemingly impossible causes
- Missionaries
- The hopeless
- Travelers & Pilgrimage Travelers
A Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.
Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly –
(make your request here)
– and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.
Amen
Keep your hope alive for those impossible causes by wearing a St. Jude necklace or bracelet. Read more about St. Jude here.
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