St. Jude Feast Day - October 28th

St. Jude's Feast Day is October 28th, the devotion to St. Jude is a wonderful example of the ability of ordinary people turning to their faith to triumph over what seems to be impossible odds in their daily lives. His name Jude means the giver of joy, while Thaddeus, means generous and kind.


St. Jude actually had family ties to Jesus. In Matthew (13:55) Saint Jude was described as being one of the "brethren" of Jesus, most likely meaning a cousin since the Hebrew word for "brethren" which most likely refers to a blood relationship. His mother, Mary, was referred to as a cousin of Jesus' mother Mary, while his father, Cleophas, was the brother of St. Joseph.



St. Jude was one of the 12 Apostles, and he began preaching the Good News of Jesus to Jews throughout Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. He traveled throughout Mesopotamia, Libya, Turkey, and Persia with St. Simon, preaching and converting many people to Christianity.

In approximately 60 A.D., St. Jude wrote a Gospel letter to Christian converts in Eastern churches who were under persecution. He warned them against the teachers of the day who were spreading false ideas about the early Christian faith. He encouraged them to persevere in the face of the difficult circumstances in which they found themselves, just as their forefathers had. He encouraged them to keep their faith and to stay in the love of God. His inspirational support of these early believers led to him to become the the Saint the we call upon even today for cases despaired of.

It is believed that St. Jude was martyred in Persia or Syria around 65 A.D. His body was brought back to Rome and was placed in a crypt beneath St. Peter's Basilica, which people can visit even to this day.

We often see a flame around the head of St. Jude in paintings. This represents his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles.

St. Bridget of Sweden was a devotee of St. Jude. She, in a vision, was encouraged by Jesus to turn to St. Jude with faith and confidence. He told her that, in accordance with Jude's surname, Thaddeus (which means generous, courageous, and kind), "he will show himself to be the most willing to give you help."

So many people around the world turn to St. Jude in Novenas when they feel the most helpless and alone. St. Jude has proven to be a true friend and a beacon of hope to those who call on him--always willing to help and seek help no matter how desperate the need.