DEVOTION TO ST.

JUDE*

The origins of devotion to St. Jude as the patron of desperate or hopeless cases are
nearly as obscure as details of the life of the great Apostle. These origins seem to
have been a spontaneous rising of interest among the faithful themselves, prompted
possibly by the fact that according to Sacred Tradition, St. Jude was near relative, a
“cousin” of Jesus, and that as a child he was a playmate of the God-man.

Confusion of the names of St. Jude and the traitor, Judas, effectively discouraged
devotion to the saint for many centuries. Devotion to him, consequently, has been
of relatively recent origin although there is evidence that this devotion was held in
high esteem during Middle Ages.

Impetus to this devotion was undoubtedly given by Our Lord Himself who, in a
vision, directed St. Bridget of Sweden to turn to St. Jude with great faith and
confidence. “In accordance with his surname, ‘Thaddeus’-the amiable, loving,”
said Our Lord, “he will show himself most willing to give help”.

The Gospel tells us that St. Jude was a brother of St. James, the Less, also one of
the twelve Apostles. These two together with two other brothers (one St. Simeon of
Jerusalem) are described by St. Matthew (13:55) as the “brethren” of Jesus. In the
Hebrew language, the word “brethren” indicates a near relationship.

Tradition has it that St. Jude’s father, Cleophas, was murdered because of his
forthright and outspoken devotion to the risen Christ. Mary Cleophas, the mother
of St. Jude and St. James, the Less, was a cousin of the Virgin Mary. After her
death, miracles were attributed to her intercession.

St. Jude is shown, traditionally, as carrying the image of Jesus in his hand. This
represents, according to tradition- our principal source of knowledge of the saint-
the imprint of the Divine Countenance that was entrusted to him by Our Lord.

The circumstances were these: King Abagaro of Edessa, who suffered from
leprosy, sent word to Jesus asking Him to come and cure him. With this request,
we are told, the King sent an artist to return with a picture of the Master.
Impressed with his great faith, Our Lord pressed His image on a cloth and gave it
to St. Jude to bring to the King of Edessa and cure him.

The King was cured and together with most of his subjects was converted to
Christianity.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. Jude travelled throughout
Mesopotamia for a period of ten years, preaching and converting many to
Christianity.

He probably returned to Jerusalem for Council of the Apostles, and then he and St.
Simon visited Libya and Persia where many more converts were made.

St. Jude died a martyr’s death. Tradition tells us that he was clubbed, possibly into
insensibility, and his head was then shattered with a broad ax. Sometime after his
death, St. Jude’s body was brought to Rome and placed in a crypt in St. Peter’s
Basilica.

Vatican Council II directed that all devotions to the Blessed Mother and the angels
and saints should bring the faithful to a fuller appreciation of the Sacred Liturgy,
and that the devotions should also harmonize with the liturgical seasons of the
Church. This new book of devotions to St. Jude has been written in accord with
these wishes of Vatican Council II.

Vatican Council II, in its Constitution on the Church, recalls the union that the
Church on earth has with the Apostles, martyrs and all the saints in heaven. The
Council, in the Constitutions on the Church and the Liturgy, warmly recommends
that this union be fostered by prayer and devotion, because our companionship
with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom issues the life and grace of God’s
people. The authentic devotion to the saints will be measured; the Council goes on
to say, by the intensity of the active love of the faithful, who seek the intercession
of the saints.

*©St. Jude League/National Shrine of St. Jude, Chicago, IL USA. Used with
permission. www.shrineofstjude.org
DAILY DEVOTION TO ST. JUDE

(Make a sign of the cross at the beginning and at the end of the prayer)
Oh St. Jude, holy Apostle, I honour you for being a faithful disciple of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I seek your intercession this day as
the patron of hopeless cases and situations of despair. Intercede for me
as I am in need of help. Look upon my miserable situation and come to
my assistance, that I may receive help from God who is the source of
everything. In my necessities and troubles I seek your intercession so
that my needs especially (Make your request here) may be granted me
without delay.
My heart shall always rejoice over this favour if granted and I will
venerate you with gratitude. Amen.

DAILY PRAYER FOR SERENITY

St. Jude, beloved servant and Apostle of Christ Jesus, I make my

devotion to you and regard you as my intercessor. Grant me the courage
to remain calm in the face of challenges in my life. Pray for me to God
that my joy and hope in Him may increase. Pray to God for me as I
invoke your help today. May your prayers bring divine healing love into
my heart. Through your intercession, I pray that God may grant me His
graces so that I may be directed in the path of righteousness and love.
Amen.
PRAYER IN DIFFICULT SITUATION

Oh, most holy Apostle, St. Jude, through your intercession, may God fill me with
graces to overcome all my difficulties especially (mention your need here). Ask
God to grant me consolation in my sorrow, courage, to defeat the Devil and his
temptations, love to conquer hatred, spiritual strength to banish darkness that
misleads people to damnation. Inspire me with your hope in God and intercede for
me during this time of trials and tribulation.
"May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be Adored, Glorified, Loved and Preserved
throughout the world, now and forever.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for me. (3 times)
St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, pray for me. (3 times)
St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, pray for me. (3 times)
Amen.

PRAYER FOR HEALING

Oh St. Jude, great apostle and faithful servant of Christ Jesus, you are the patron of
hopeless cases and desperate situations, We (I) implore you to intercede for
(Name of the sick person) who is ill and helpless. Call upon God now to have
compassion on him/her so that he/she may be healed. Let (Name of the sick
person) experience the healing power of God. Let your prayers for him/her bring
healing power of God to work wonders, to cure him/her and to make him/her
whole. Ask God to touch him/her now with His healing hand. Let him/her be
healed of his/her illness in the name of Jesus, the Lord. Amen.

St. Jude, pray for (Name of the sick person). (3 times)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory be
THANKSGIVING PRAYER FOR AN ANSWERED PRAYER

Thank you, Lord God, for granting my request through the intercession of St. Jude,
the Apostle and faithful servant of your Son and our Lord Jesus Christ. I am
grateful to you for this favour. May the prayers of St. Jude in your presence always
receive answers. Amen.

Our Father

Hail Mary

Glory be

NOVENA TO ST. JUDE

Oh great and faithful Apostle, St. Jude, you followed the Lord Jesus
Christ during his ministry here on earth as one of his disciples; you
experienced his miraculous power over evil, illnesses, demons,
difficulties and he bequeathed the same miraculous power to you and
other apostles. You are the patron of hopeless cases and desperate
situations. I therefore, seek your special assistance in this time of need. I
recourse to you, come to my aid and bring my request before God.
(Make your request here).
My heart will always rejoice with gratitude over this favour if granted.
St. Jude, holy apostle may your name be invoked now and always Amen.
(Pray this prayer 9 times a day for 9 consecutive days)
PRAYER FOR GRACES OF GOD TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE

Oh holy apostle, St. Jude, you, who are in the presence of God Almighty,
I implore your assistance to plead to God on my behalf to grant me the
graces I need to do His will in my life. Pray for me to God that I may
have the strength to accept His holy will, no matter how difficult it is.
Through your intercession I cry to God for His inspiration and guidance
so that I may put my trust in Him; I may grow in faith, hope and charity;
I may seek God with sincere heart and I may live a holy life all the days
of my life. Amen.

LITANY OF ST. JUDE

Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
St. Jude, holy apostle of Christ, pray for us.
St. Jude, faithful servant of God, pray for us.
St. Jude, Beloved of God, pray for us.
St. Jude, Glorious martyr, pray for us.
St. Jude, Committed apostle of Christ, pray for us.
St. Jude, Devoted missionary, pray for us.
St. Jude, Patron Saint of Hope, pray for us.
St. Jude, Lover of the word of God, pray for us.
St. Jude, Friend of the needy, pray for us.
St. Jude, Miracle worker, pray for us.
St. Jude, Reliable intercessor, pray for us.
St. Jude, Admirable intercessor, pray for us.
St. Jude, Patron of difficult cases, pray for us.
St. Jude, Patron of desperate situations, pray for us.
St. Jude, Holy disciple of Christ, pray for us.
St. Jude, Saint, full of inspiration, pray for us.
St. Jude, Saint of great humility, pray for us.
St. Jude, Saint full of courage, pray for us.
St. Jude, Admirable helper, pray for us.
St. Jude, Advocate of the vulnerable, pray for us.
St. Jude, Defender of the Faith against heretics, pray for us.
St. Jude, Saint of the Impossible, pray for us.
St. Jude, Inspirer of confidence, pray for us.
St. Jude, Saint of great influence, pray for us.
St. Jude, Friend of the hopeless, pray for us.
St. Jude, Witness of the love of God, pray for us.
St. Jude, Saint, filled with the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
St. Jude, Trustworthy apostle, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us,
O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

Pray for us, St. Jude, the holy Apostle of Christ. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray
We turn to you oh Lord God, through the intercession of your holy Apostle, St.
Jude we pray that you incline your ears to our supplications and grant us what we
seek from you with great confidence and trust in your providence. Grant that we
may adhere to your way and do what pleases you. Turn your merciful eyes on us
and grant our petitions through the intercession of St. Jude, your faithful Apostle.
Amen.

THE CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

Feed the hungry

Give drink to the thirsty
Clothe the naked
Shelter the homeless
Visit the sick
Visit the imprisoned
Bury the dead

THE SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY

Admonish the sinner

Instruct the ignorant
Counsel the doubtful
Comfort the sorrowful
Bear wrongs patiently
Forgive all injuries
Pray for the living and the dead
CHAPLET OF ST. JUDE, THE APOSTLE

The Apostles’ Creed

Our Father
Hail Mary

Prayer Intention
On each of the big beads say: Our Father
On each of the small beads say: St. Jude, intercede for us

Let us Pray:

Oh God, our heavenly Father, we praise and honour you for your mercy and love.
We commit ourselves to you through the intercession of St. Jude, your faithful
servant and obedient Apostle of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. May the prayers
of St. Jude, help us and gain us your favour. Grant our request and continue to be
our source of hope and love. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYING THE PSALMS FOR VARIOUS NEEDS

Protection Psalms 7, 12, 14, 18, 22, 27, 31, 61, 91, 124, 140
Success Psalms 21, 35, 37, 54, 84, 103, 112, 118, 144
Inner Peace Psalms 3, 4, 16, 23, 29, 46, 86, 122, 133
Blessings Psalms 34, 36, 67, 104, 145
Healing Psalms 6, 13, 20, 22, 30, 32, 88,147
Divine Help Psalms 38, 85, 102, 142
Repentance Psalms 5, 25, 32, 34, 37, 51, 90, 130
Safe Delivery Psalms 4, 8, 57, 93, 108,
Fruit of the Womb Psalms 84, 113, 127
Breaking Curses Psalms 10, 58, 79, 103
Thanksgiving Psalms 34, 66, 100, 107, 117, 118, 136, 138
Deliverance Psalms 1, 2, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 18, 22
Employment Psalms 8, 48, 101, 112
Divine Guidance Psalms 11, 39, 43, 99, 119
Peace in Marriage Psalms 45, 73, 119
For the Deceased Psalms 23, 90, 91, 129

THE EPISTLE OF SAINT JUDE, THE APOSTLE

[1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and James’ brother, to those that are called
and made holy in Christ by God the Father, [2] mercy is to you and may abundant
peace and love be granted to you. [3]Beloved, when I was striving hard to write to
you about the common salvation, it has become necessary for me to write to you,
and exhort you that you should sincerely contend for the faith which was once
handed over to the saints. [4]For certain men sneaked in unsuspectingly, who long
ago were predestined for this condemnation, sinful men who turn the grace of
God into disgust, and rejecting the only Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.
[5]I therefore wish to remind you though you have once for all have the
knowledge of how the Lord, having rescued the people from slavery out of the
land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who did not believe. [6] And the angels
who did not keep their original place, but departed from their own estate, he has
reserved perpetually in chains in darkness till the great Day of Judgment. [7] Like
Sodom and Gomorra, and their neighboring cities which in similar manner
committed sins of sexual immorality and sodomy have been set as example of
those undergoing the punishment of eternal hell fire. [8] In the same way those
who defile the flesh, despise the authority and show contempt for dignities. [9]
However, Michael the archangel, when opposing the devil about the body of
Moses, did not bring against him indictment of blasphemy, but said, “The Lord
rebuke you.” [10] But these men show contempt for things which they do not
know; but what they know by instinct, as brute animals, are the things in which
they corrupt themselves.[11] Woe to them! For they have walked in the way of
Cain, and dashed covetously into the error of Balaam for recompense, and
destroyed in the rebellion of Core.[12] These men are sinful stains on your feasts,
when they banquet with you, fearlessly feeding themselves; they are like clouds
without water, tossed about by winds; unfruitful trees, doubly dead, uprooted.
[13] Furious waves of the sea, foaming out their own humiliation; roving stars, to
whom darkness upon darkness is reserved eternally. [14] And of these also Enoch,
the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord has come with ten
thousands of his saints,[15] to make judgment upon all, and to convict the
impious among them of all the sinful deeds which they committed, and of all the
evil speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” [16] These are
murmuring complainers, seeking after their own lusts; and they are boastful in
speech, keeping people in admiration of them because of gain. [17] But, you
beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our
Lord Jesus Christ;[18] who repeatedly told you that at the end of time there will
come scorners, following after their own ungodly lusts. [19] These are they who
set themselves apart, sensual persons, not possessing the Spirit. [20] But you,
beloved, build up yourselves in the most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. [21]
Keep yourselves in the love of God, and look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
unto everlasting life. [22] And of some who are adjudged reprove with
compassion, [23] but others, save with fear, seizing them out from the fire; hating
even the garment speckled by the flesh. [24] Now to him who has the ability to
keep you from falling, and to present you sinless before the presence of his glory
with great joy,[25] to the only God our Saviour, through our Lord Jesus, the Christ,
be the glory and majesty, dominion and authority, both now and forever. Amen.

SALUS VERSION (SV)