Prayer to St. Jude
When you hear the name Jude, the first thing that probably comes to your mind is the famous Beatles song “ Hey Jude” or the name of a children’s hospital as so many hospitals are named St. Jude. Have you ever wondered why? St. Jude is the Patron Saint of Desperate Causes or Lost Causes! His feast day is October 28th. He died a martyr. Both St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bernard, claim to have had visions from God asking them to accept St. Jude as "The Patron Saint of the Impossible." Today he can be found in a crypt, under the main altar of St. Joseph, in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Many people come to pray on his grave and report powerful intercession. He is also known under the name of Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. He was one of the twelve apostles and the brother of James the Minor and a relative of Jesus. He was called Jude so as not to be confused with Judas the Iscariot who betrayed Jesus during the Last Supper.
Three Prayers to St. Jude
When you feel as if your world is crumbling and that little hope is left, there is no better saint to turn to in prayer than St. Jude. The name “Jude” means “giver of joy” and the name “Thaddaeus” means “generous and kind”! What more could you ask for when you feel desperate and lost. St. Jude can also be prayed to in the form of a novena, which is a prayer said for nine consecutive days, a chaplet or a litany. Here are three prayers to him that can be said anytime you feel the need to, for example for a consecration.
A Popular Prayer to St. Jude
"O most holy apostle, Saint Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,
the Church honours and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases,
and of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, who am so miserable.
"Make use, I implore you, of that particular privilege accorded to you,
to bring visible and speedy help where help was almost despaired of.
Come to my assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolation
and succor 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 elect throughout eternity.
"I promise you, O blessed Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favour,
to always honour you as my special and powerful patron,
and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen."
A Healing Prayer to St. Jude
“Most Holy Apostle, Saint Jude, patron saint of impossible causes, I place myself in your care. With fervent trust and confidence, I seek your heavenly intercession. Pray for me in my times of need. Help me realize each day that I am not alone when facing sickness, disease, suffering or sorrow.
Assist me now, dear Saint Jude, in petitioning Almighty God for strength when I am in distress, courage to overcome my anxieties, and the gift of a complete healing of mind and body. Ask our Loving Lord to deepen my faith and steadfast conviction in His healing power, and to bless me with the graces necessary to accept whatever may lie ahead for me and for my loved ones.
Thank you, O Holy Saint Jude, for the promise of hope you offer to all who believe. Inspire me always to offer this gift of hope to others. Amen.”
Another Prayer to St. Jude
"Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ,
faithful intercessor for all who invoke you, special patron in time of need;
to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart, and humbly beg you,
to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance;
help me now in my urgent need and grant my earnest petition.
I will never forget your graces and the favors you have obtained for me and
I will do my utmost to spread devotion to you. Amen."
Why Pray to St. Jude?
St. Jude is either portrayed with an image of Christ in his hand or with a flame around his head. Tradition has it that King Abgar of Edessa, asked Jesus to cure him of leprosy and so Jesus sent an image of himself with St. Jude. When the King saw Jesus’ image, he immediately was cured and converted to Christianity. The flame around his head represents that he was present at Pentecost and received the Holy Spirit. St. Jude continues to intercede and heal our many wounds, both physical and spiritual.
Discover Other Saints of “Desperate Causes” with Hozana
Prayer is of precious help when going through difficult times and especially when you feel that it’s your last chance. As Catholics we believe in the Communion of Saints. You can ask for the intercession of other saints with Hozana’s prayer communities and confide your troubles to Jesus Christ. Here are a few saints that can help you in an urgent or desperate situation: St. Jude, Saint Rita, or Saint Expedite.
