One of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, Jude was the son of Cleophas (who died a martyr) and Mary who stood at the foot of the Cross, and who annointed Christ's body after death. Brother of Saint James the Lesser, and nephew of Mary and Joseph he was a blood relative of Jesus Christ.

The New Testament lists Jude as an Apostle but tells us little else about him. It does, however, record a question which he put to Jesus just after the Last Supper when Our Lord promised to manifest Himself to those who heard Him. St Jude wanted to know why he would not manifest Himself to the whole world. Jesus replied: "If anyone love me, he will keep my word, and my father will love him and we will come to him and make our abode with him." (John, 14.22-13) In other words, we must merit the visit and manifestation of the father and Son by proving our practical love for them.

We don’t know where St. Jude went to preach the good news of Jesus nor do we know when or where he died. He shares his feast, October 28th, with Saint Simon, presumably because they preached and died together.

The pictures of St. Jude show him with a flame over his head – a reminder that the Holy Spirit came upon him in tongues of fire at Pentecost. (Acts 2:3) He is also represented carrying an image of Jesus – a reminder that each of us is to bring Christ to others.

St. Jude is perhaps most popularly known as the patron of "desperate cases", due traditionally to the confusion by many early Christians between Jude and Judas. Not understanding the difference between the names, they never prayed for Jude's help, and devotion to him became something of a lost cause.

Most holy apostle, St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many. But the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Make use, I implore you, of that particular privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly -- (Here make your request) and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever.

I promise, O 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.