Praying to the Saints is praying to God, in a fundamental way. We're praying to those who can intercede on our behalf with God. In other words, we pray to the Saints to ask them for intercession, although God is still the ultimate focus of our worship. Depending on their individual stories, each Saint has a specific power or “skill”.
St Jude’s Story
Not much is known of St. Jude’s life, although he is perhaps the most popular Patron of impossible causes together with Saint Rita da Cascia.
Also known as Jude Thaddaeus (do not confuse him with Judas Iscariot), St. Jude was one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles and preached the Gospel with passion and devotion, often in very hard circumstances. According to tradition, he was martyred for his faith while preaching to pagans in Armenia, which was part of Persia at that time.
He is the Patron Saint of impossible causes and desperate situations because the scriptural Letter “Epistle of Jude”, which he authored, urges Christians to persevere in difficult times. During the centuries, the Church encouraged 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.
Saint Jude's Attribute
His main attribute is a club. He is also often shown in icons with a flame around his head. This represents his presence at Pentecost when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles. Another common attribute is Jude holding an image of Jesus Christ, known as the Image of Edessa.
Novena to St Jude the Apostle
His Feast Day is on October 28th, and Novenas are often prayed for his intercession. It is said, that his Novena prayed by the desperate and the hopeless never failed. Let’s learn how to pray to St. Jude the Apostle.
The holiest apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant
and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and
invokes you universally as the patron of hope.
Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that
the particular privilege given to you to bring
hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most.
Come to my assistance in this great
need that I may receive the consolation
and help of heaven as I work with my
challenges, particularly (here make your request).
I praise God with you and all the saints forever.
I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever
mindful of this great favor, to always
honor you as my special and powerful patron
and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be...
Related Articles:
Saint Anthony of Padua: the 5 Miracles→
Benedict of Nursia: The Founder of a New Way to God→
Saint Francis Life in a Nutshell→
St Rita da Cascia: Patroness of the Impossible Causes→