DAY FOUR NOVENA TO SAINT JUDE THADDEUS (patron saint of the impossible)

Who is Saint Jude?

Saint Jude was one of Christ’s most intimate collaborators, being part of a group of twelve men called Apostles, a Greek term meaning “one who is sent.”  While Christ had many disciples (followers), the Apostles’ mission to carry the Christian message to the world was unique in the authority they held.  “He appointed twelve whom he also named apostles that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons” (Mark 3:14-15). 

His name is literally “Judas,” but to distinguish him from the other Apostle Judas—the infamous betrayer Judas Iscariot, whom even the Lord refers to as “the son of perdition” (John 17:12)—his name in English is usually abbreviated to Jude.  It is occasionally written as Saint Jude Thaddeus, following the use of his “nickname” in Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18.

The confusion of having two Judas’ was a concern even in New Testament times.  The Gospel of John contains the only sentence Saint Jude Thaddeus utters in the Scriptures, and John makes sure to add a clarifying note as he quotes him: “Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?’” (John 14:22).  John wants us to leave no doubt that the question came from the holy Apostle and not the betrayer.

The New Testament refers to Jude as “the brother of Jesus” in two passages (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3).  However, this does not mean that Jude was the Lord’s blood brother.  The Greek word for brother can also mean “cousin,” “family member,” or even just “acquaintance.”

The Church Father, Papias of Hierapolis (c. 70–163 AD), informs us within his work, Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord, that Jude is the son of Mary of Cleophas, one of the women at the foot of the Cross during Our Lord’s crucifixion (John 19:25).  But Papias also states that Mary of Cleophas was the sister of Mary, the mother of the Lord, making Jude the Lord’s cousin. 

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NOVENA TO ST. JUDE THADDEUS (PATRON ST. OF THE IMPOSSIBLE)

St. Jude, glorious apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the person (who betrayed our Lord) has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of the desperate. Pray for me, who is miserable; pray for me, that I may finally receive the consolations and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (add your personal request here), and that I may bless God with the Elect Throughout Eternity. St. Jude, worker of miracles, please pray for me. Saint Jude, helper of the hopeless, please pray for me. Amen.