SAINTS FOR ALL SEASONS
SAINT JUDE THE APOSTLE

By Brother Patrick

Scripture scholars debate the identity of Saint Jude the Apostle. Is he a brother of Jesus? Is he a cousin of Jesus? Is he a fusion of various followers of Jesus who are united by tradition under one name? These questions may never be answered to the satisfaction of the inquisitive modern mind. But because popular devotion to Saint Jude spread widely during the twentieth century, among the most violent in human history, we long to learn more.

Tradition teaches that Jude is devoted to Jesus. Jude is called by Jesus to be a disciple. Jude leaves his work and his family to follow Jesus. Jude is among the twelve apostles who live with Jesus, laugh with him, cry with him, and break bread with Jesus. Jude is among the twelve apostles who believe in Jesus, learn from him, and talk with him about God’s gifts of love and mercy. Jude is among the twelve apostles who are sent in pairs by Jesus himself to preach the Good News to the world. In short, Jude is among those who know Jesus best. He is the Lord’s faithful friend and companion. He is a true disciple, a doer of God’s will.

Indeed, in the Gospel of John, Jude is among the disciples who gather around the Lord. Jesus tells them that he is the way, the truth, and the life. But the disciples are anxious. Jude asks: “Lord, why do you reveal yourself only to us and not to the whole world?” Jesus replies: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, the Father will love them, and we will come among them and make our home with them (Luke 14:22).” Jesus then says: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you (Luke 14:26).” This promise is fulfilled at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples and blesses them with the gifts necessary to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and build up the Church.

In light of the Resurrection, tradition also teaches that Jude is among those who commemorate the Lord’s sacrifice through the eucharistic meal. He is among those who are blessed with a keen awareness that their communion is part of a new movement, a new way of seeing and believing, a new way of living and dying. At this point, the life of Saint Jude the Apostle becomes legendary. These legends may not be literally true, but they give compelling witness to the truth. In these legends, we are blessed to discover the foundation of our devotion to Saint Jude as patron of hope, patron of the lost cause, patron of the impossible.

At some point after the Resurrection, Jude and Simon travel to Persia. Upon arrival, they are detained by the commander of the army. When the commander learns that they are disciples of the Risen Lord, he asks them to predict the outcome of an imminent war. The apostles decline to answer, but ultimately assure the commander that his adversaries will sue for peace. When this prophecy is fulfilled, the commander orders the execution of his army’s shamans and fortune tellers. But Jude and Simon object. They say: “Spare them. We come to bring life, not destroy it.” Impressed by the apostles, the commander brings them to the king who listens with an open heart to their preaching.

In another legend, the King of Edessa invites Jesus to visit him. Jesus tells him to have faith and promises to send an apostle in his place. The king responds by sending an artist back to paint a portrait of the Lord. When the artist fails to capture the Lord’s likeness, Jesus wipes his face with a piece of fabric and his portrait is impressed upon it. This image of the Holy Face is among the most famous icons in world history. It is believed that Jude carries the icon back to Edessa where he is honored for fulfilling the Lord’s promise to the king. It is also believed that Jude is now depicted with an image of Jesus over his heart as a reminder of both the icon and his close friendship with the Lord.

Other legends find Jude traveling throughout the countries we know as Iraq, Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Armenia. He becomes famous for preaching the Good News, healing the sick and suffering, and working many other miracles. On Jude’s final journey, the same fortune tellers whom he spared from execution incidents a mob who murder him with an axe and club. As symbols of martyrdom, Saint Jude is often depicted with the instruments of his violent death.

Last but not least, the Letter of Saint Jude is the penultimate book in the New Testament. It is brief, just one chapter with twenty-five verses. It is less of an epistle and more of an exhortation: to pray, to believe, and to serve the church.

Centuries after Jude’s life and death, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) promotes a devotion to him as the Saint of the Impossible. Saint Bridget of Sweden (1304-1374) believes that the Lord asks her in a vision to dedicate an altar to Jude, who as a faithful friend and disciple is always ready to defeat the power of darkness and to help those in need.

More centuries later, a young actor visits a church in Detroit and is moved during Mass to place his last seven dollars in the collection basket and to pray for the intercession of Saint Jude. He says: “Help me find my way in life and I will build you a shrine.” The actor is Danny Thomas (1912-1991). The shrine he builds is the Saint Jude Research Hospital. It does not charge families for care. It is one of the best children’s hospitals in the world. And in 1996, it is awarded a Nobel Prize for its research into how the immune system can attack and destroy sick cells.

Saint Jude is venerated as patron of hope, patron of hospitals, patron of lost causes and desperate situations, and patron of countless causes, churches, and cities all around the world. In this spirit, we turn to him in prayer:

A Prayer to Saint Jude the Apostle

O Saint Jude,
Most Holy Apostle,
the Church honors you
as the patron of hope.

During these troubled times,
we ask you to pray for us:
Help us to know that we are not alone.
Console us in our sorrow.
Comfort us in our pain and suffering.
Strengthen us with fortitude to overcome our fear.

O Saint Jude,
friend and faithful servant
of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
help us to grow in faith, hope, and love.
Bless us with courage to embrace
God’s will for our lives.

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Saint Jude the Apostle, pray for us! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

Art Credit: Saint Jude – Image 300093387 – Dreamstime.com

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are also dedicated to promoting a devotion to Pope Francis (1936-2025) as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our sick and suffering world.

The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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