Collection: St. Jude Thaddeus
St. Jude Thaddeus was one of the Twelve Apostles, a relative of Jesus and, by tradition, the author of the short Letter of Jude in the New Testament.
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He preached the Gospel far from home and died a martyr. Because his name sounded like that of Judas the betrayer, few people prayed to him for centuries, and devotion grew that he was ready to help in cases others had given up on. That is how he became the patron of desperate and impossible causes.
His feast is October 28, which he shares with St. Simon the Apostle. His novena is often prayed in the nine days before.
For his devotion we carry a relic medal with a second-class relic (ex indumentis, from the saint's clothing) set in the medal, and a small charm pendant blessed by Pope Leo XIV, which ships with a holy card of the Papal blessing. Both are a fitting gift for someone facing a hard diagnosis, a job loss or a family situation that seems without way out. If you are praying for an impossible cause, St. Rita is also close at hand: see St. Rita of Cascia, or find a patron saint by cause.
Frequently asked questions
Why is St. Jude the patron of hopeless cases?
Tradition holds that because his name was so often confused with Judas, few prayed to him, so he was eager to help anyone who did. Over time Catholics came to trust him with the causes that seem lost.
What kind of relic is in the St. Jude relic medal?
It is a second-class relic, ex indumentis, a small piece of fabric from the saint's clothing.
How do I pray the St. Jude novena?
Pray his prayer once a day for nine days, often in the days before his feast on October 28, asking him to bring your intention to God.
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