Who is St. Jude? Today October 28 is the feast of St. Jude. So, who is he? Jude Thaddeus (not Iscariot) was one of the original 12 apostles but not that much is known about him. He is listed as a disciple of Christ in Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13, John 14:22, Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18 and John 14: 22-23 (Remember: Jesus was speaking at the Last Supper, Jude interrupted him asking, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world? Jesus answered, If a man loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Fathers who sent me.) According to custom, he is considered the brother of St. James and the author of the Epistle of St. Jude. But this is speculation- albeit educated speculation by scholars. With all the studying of Judes background, the course of his life with Jesus and after the Crucifixion, little has been passed on that cannot be debated. Tradition and legend, most notable expressed in the Passion of Simon and Jude, declare that Jude went to Persia with Simon where they were martyred. He is so well known today because he is the patron saint that almost everyone can relate to- the patron saint of lost causes. Catholics will often pray to Jude when they feel all else has failed. It is not known how he came to be the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations, but many ask for his intercession when life feels hopeless. They ask for his help in finding work when they have been unemployed for many months, to cure a relative with serious addition, to cure themselves of severe illness, or to get assistance with any number of other problems that seem to have no solution or at least not an obvious one. *Information from The Everything Saints Book by Jenny Schroedel and Our Sunday Visitors Encyclopedia of Saints, Revised Edition by Matthew, Margaret, and Stephen Bunson.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 09:39:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015