About Saint Jude

The Gospel tells us that St. Jude was a brother of St. James the Less, also one of the twelve Apostles. These two together with two other brothers (one St. Simeon of Jerusalem) are described by St. Matthew (13:55) as the "brethren" of Jesus. In the Hebrew language, the word "brethren" indicates a near relationship.

Tradition has it that St. Jude's father, Cleophas, was murdered because of his forthright and outspoken devotion to the risen Christ. Mary Cleophas, the mother of St. Jude and St. James the Less, was a cousin of the Virgin Mary. After her death, miracles were attributed to her intercession.

St. Jude is shown, traditionally, as carrying the image of Jesus in his hand. This represents, according to tradition -- our principal sources of knowledge of the saint -- the imprint of the Divine Countenance that was entrusted to him by Our Lord.

The circumstances were these: King Abagaro of Edessa, who suffered from leprosy, sent word to Jesus asking Him to come and cure him. With his request, we are told, the King sent an artist to return with a picture of the Master. Impressed with his great faith, Our Lord pressed His image on a cloth and gave it to St. Jude to bring to the King of Edessa and cure him. The King was cured and together with most of his subjects was converted to Christianity.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. Jude traveled throughout Mesopotamia for a period of ten years, preaching and converting many to Christianity. He probably returned to Jerusalem for the Council of the Apostles, and then he and St. Simon visited Libya and Persia where many more converts were made.

St. Jude died a martyr's death. Tradition tells us that he was clubbed, possibly into insensibility, and his head was then shattered with a broad ax. Sometime after his death, St. Jude's body was brought to Rome and placed in a crypt in St. Peter's Basilica.

His Relics

HIS HOLY RELICS now lie in the great basilica of St. Peter in Rome. Pope Paul III, in a brief dated September 22, 1548, graneted a plenary indulgence to all who would visit the tomb of St. Jude Thaddeus on his feast day, the date of his death, October 28. This is a very significant fact, for plenary indulgences were rarely granted at this period. It is a proof that his intercessory power with God must have been great. All the saints have power with God since thay are the special friends of God, but the fact cannot denied that some have been permitted to make their influence with God more visible that others. The reason for this rests with God alone.

In Time of Despair

The history of St. Jude Thaddeus, both as to his life upon earth and his relation to his clients now, proves that God has vouchsafed him an extraordinary power in cases most desperate. It is especially in difficult cases that his wonderful help appears. Thousands have implored his aid and have received extraordinary answers to their prayers. Venerable Columba, a Dominican nun, was most devoted to St. Jude Thaddeus and she saw many a petition of grave and serious nature granted through his intercession. Another client among the saints was none other than the great St. Bernard. During his entire life, he never ceased to invoke St. Jude Thaddeus when trials and temptations surrounded him. When saint calls upon saint, sinners should take courage and direction. Even though the difficulty be a malady defying all human skill, even though it be a sickness for which there is no remedy, even though it it be anguish of soul and distress of heart, poverty, misery or even despair, St. Jude Thaddeus, cousin of Jesus, will show a way out of the trouble if it be according to the Will of God. There is no problem so perplexing for which, St. Jude Thaddeus "Patron of Desperate Cases" cannot find a solution thereby bringing joy and gladness to the heart.