Our Patron Saint

Background

St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Less, and a relative of Our Saviour. St. Jude was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus.

Ancient writers tell us that he preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. According to Eusebius, he returned to Jerusalem in the year 62, and assisted in the election of his brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem.

He is an author of an epistle (letter) to the Churches of the East, particularly the Jewish converts, directed against the heresies of the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics. This Apostle is said to have suffered martyrdom in Armenia, which was then subject to Persia. The final conversion of the Armenian nation to Christianity did not take place until the third century of our era.

Jude was the one who asked Jesus at the Last Supper why He would not manifest Himself to the whole world after His resurrection. Little else is known of his life. Legend claims that he visited Beirut and Edessa; possibly martyred with St. Simon in Persia.

Jude is invoked in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances, just as their forefathers had done before them. Therefore, he is the patron saint of desperate cases and his feast day is October 28. Saint Jude is not the same person as Judas Iscariot who betrayed Our Lord and despaired because of his great sin and lack of trust in God’s mercy.

St. Jude Shrine

The shrine is open for prayer before and after all Masses and during regular business hours throughout the week. If visiting outside of Mass times, please enter through the parish offices and check in with the office staff.

St. Jude Chaplet

The St. Jude chaplet is prayed on a nine bead chaplet. Similar to the Rosary, it’s very easy to pray.

Introductory prayer on the Medal:
St. Jude, glorious apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the patron of things despaired of; pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations and the succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (mention your request), and that I may bless God with the elect throughout eternity. Amen.

On each bead pray one Hail Mary and the following:
St. Jude, apostle, martyr and relative of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of Mary and Joseph, intercede for us.

Concluding prayer on the Crucifix:
O Holy St. Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsmen of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to who God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St. Jude, pray for us and all who invoke your aid.

Amen.

Relics

Unfortunately, we don’t have any relics of St. Jude in our parish. However, several years ago, we had a special visit from the Claretian Missionaries who brought with them a relic (bone from the arm of St. Jude). Founded in 1929 by the Claretian Missionaries, the National Shrine of St. Jude is a special place of hope and prayer. The National Shrine includes the altar and the statue of St. Jude, two relics of St. Jude, and the devotional room of votive candles. The Vatican was especially generous to the Claretians, giving them two first-class relics of bone for the National Shrine in the 1920s. The large relic reminds us of St. Jude’s complete love for God, and of the complete reverence he gave Jesus as one of his Apostles. The small relic is heavily protected in special glass and anchored in brass; this allows us to make it accessible to touch for all who visit the Shrine.

The peace and warmth of the National Shrine make it a uniquely personal place to pray or to have your petitions remembered in prayers and Masses said by the Claretians.

The National Shrine of St. Jude is located at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 3200 E. 91st Street in Chicago.