Facts about Saint Jude

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Saint Jude Facts

Facts about Saint Jude Thaddeus, Jude is known as Jude, Thaddeus, and Lebbaeus, this article shares in-depth facts about how the apostle Jude lived in obscurity as one of the Twelve.

He did ask Jesus a question in John 14:22,

“Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

Jude seemed overly concerned with this question. Christ responded by saying He would reveal Himself to anyone who loved Him.

Most early tradition says that Judas, son of James, a few years after Pentecost, took the gospel north to Edessa. There he healed the King of Edessa, Abgar.

Eusebius the historian said the archives at Edessa contained the visit of Jude and the healing of Abgar (the records have now been destroyed).

St. Jude Thaddeus Facts and Symbol

The traditional symbol of Jude is a club and tradition says he was clubbed to death for his faith.

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Emblem Saint Jude

History refers to Jude under a couple of different names. He was called Judas, though we tend to shorten it to Jude to distance him from the other Judas, Thaddeus, or Labels.

Jude’s symbol is a ship because he was known for his missionary voyages. Tradition states that he traveled with Simon the Zealot on his missionary journeys.

Artists also represent Jude with the symbol of an axe. Traditional sources claim that Jude was killed in Beirut by beheading with an axe.

After he was killed, his body was delivered to Rome.

Definitely not Judas Iscariot

Depending on the translation you use, you may see Jude listed as Jude or Judas. These are two variations of the same Greek name, which is derived from the Hebrew and Aramaic name, Judah.

Some scholars believe “Jude” first worked its way into our English translations to help avoid confusion with Judas Iscariot, whose name practically became a synonym for a traitor in art, literature, and popular culture.

A man named Judas—presumably Jude the apostle—appears in John 14:22, and John makes a point of telling us this is not Judas Iscariot.

Some suggest this aversion to the name Judas is the same reason why Saint Matthew and Saint Mark replaced Jude with Thaddeus in their lists of disciples. But this is speculation.

Most other languages use a single name for both of these disciples and let their descriptions make the distinction.

saint jude thaddeus
Saint Jude Thaddeus

Miracles or Help Provided by Saint Jude Thaddeus

As mentioned before, Saint Jude Thaddeus is the patron of desperate cases, He is the patron saint of impossible causes because he urges Christians to stay close to Christ during hard times.

Many people report that Saint Jude helped them. Some people call this help miracles.

This includes but is not limited to cures for diseases, improved family situation, better health, job opportunities, family problems solved, success in school, and improvement of finances.

Jude AKA Thaddeus

In two of the lists of apostles, Jude appears to be referred to as Thaddeus (Matthew 10:2; Matthew 10:3; Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:16; Mark 3:17; Mark 3:18; Mark 3:19). Since these two names appear in about the same place in the lists, and the other names are consistent, church tradition (and most modern scholars) have always assumed Thaddeus was a nickname for Jude of James.

Since the name Judas had such strong negative associations in the early church, it wouldn’t be surprising if Jude preferred to go by another name, or if Matthew and Mark used the nickname to avoid confusion.

Did Jude the Apostle Write the Epistle of Jude?

Most traditions assume Jude the Apostle wrote the Epistle of Jude because they assume he’s the same person as Jesus’ brother Jude. But unfortunately, Jude was a super common name, and this relies on assumptions. Today’s scholars have mixed opinions on Jude’s authorship.

jude thaddeus facts
Jude Thaddeus Facts

How is He Honored in the Catholic Church Today?

The Order of the Dominicans began working in Armenia in the 12th century, where St. Jude was already very prominent in Christian circles. The continued impact of the Dominicans carried over into the Americas, centering in North America around Chicago. The Chicago Police Department has made him their patron saint, as well as several soccer teams around the world.

Jude of James

“Jude of James” is one of the least-known members of the Twelve. He may have been one of Jesus’ brothers. He may have been the author of the Epistle of Jude. Or not. He had a common name, and the only description we have just links him to another common name.

But regardless of who he was and where he went, what we do know is that one of Jude Thaddeus facts is that Jesus called him, he followed, and he played a role at the beginning of a tiny movement that became the world’s largest religion.

Facts about Saint Jude Veneration

According to tradition, after his martyrdom, pilgrims came to his grave to pray and many of them experienced the powerful intercessions of St. Jude. Thus, the title, ‘The Saint for the Hopeless and the Despaired’. St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bernard had visions from God asking each to accept St. Jude as ‘The Patron Saint of the Impossible’.

The feast day of St. Jude is the 28th of October (Roman Catholic Church, Episcopal Church, and Lutheran Church) and 19 June and 21 August (Eastern Orthodox Church).

The Order of Preachers (better known as the Dominicans) began working in present-day Armenia soon after their founding in 1216. At that time, there was already a substantial devotion to Saint Jude by both Catholic and Orthodox Christians in the area.

This lasted until persecution drove Christians from the area in the 18th century. Devotion to Saint Jude began again in earnest in the 19th century, starting in Italy and Spain, spreading to South America, and finally to the United States (starting in the vicinity of Chicago) owing to the influence of the Claretians and the Dominicans in the 1920s.

Among some Roman Catholics, Saint Jude is venerated as the “patron saint of lost causes“. This practice stems from the belief that few Christians invoked him for misplaced fear of praying to Christ’s betrayer, Judas Iscariot, because of their similar names.

The ignored Jude thus supposedly became quite eager to assist anyone who sought his help, to the point of interceding in the direst of circumstances. The Church also wanted to encourage veneration of this “forgotten” apostle and maintained that Saint Jude would intercede in any lost cause to prove his sanctity and zeal for Christ.

Another of the Jude Thaddeus Facts is that he is the patron saint of the Chicago Police Department, of Clube de Regatas, do Flamengo (a soccer team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and of St Jude’s GAA team based in Southampton & Bournemouth (UK).

His other patronages include desperate situations and hospitals. One of his namesakes is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, which has helped many children with terminal illnesses and their families since its founding in 1962.

interesting facts about saint jude
Interesting facts about Saint Jude -
Infographic created by Marilyn Nash

Facts about Saint Jude Reflection

As in the case of all the apostles except for Peter, James, and John, we are faced with men who are really unknown, and we are struck by the fact that their holiness is simply taken to be a gift of Christ.

He chose some unlikely people: a former Zealot, a former (crooked) tax collector, an impetuous fisherman, two “sons of thunder,” and a man named Judas Iscariot.

It is a reminder that we cannot receive too often. Holiness does not depend on human merit, culture, personality, effort, or achievement. It is entirely God’s creation and gift.

God needs no Zealots to bring about the kingdom by force. Jude, like all the saints, is the saint of the impossible: Only God can create his divine life in human beings. And God wills to do so, for all of us

Prayer to Saint Thaddeus (Jude) The Apostle

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Glorious Apostle, Saint Jude Thaddeus, I salute you through the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through His Heart, I praise and thank God for all the graces he has bestowed upon you.
I implore you, through His love to look upon me with compassion. Do not despise my poor prayer.
Do not let my trust be confounded. God has granted to you the privilege of aiding mankind in the most desperate cases. Oh, come to my aid that I may praise the mercies of God. All my life I will be your grateful client until I can thank you in heaven. Amen.

Conclusion Facts about Saint Jude

To conclude the Jude Thaddeus Facts, Thaddeus (also known as Judas (but not Judas the Betrayer), son of James and Lebbaeus): Thaddeus (also referred to as Saint Jude in the Catholic church) is believed to have been the nickname or surname of Judas.

There is some confusion as to whether Thaddeus was the brother or son of James but it is known that they were related. Thaddeus is known as a disciple of three names being that he is referred to as Thaddeus, Judas, and Lebbaeus.

#1. Jude was referred to as Thaddeus to distinguish him from whom?

#2. What rite traces its origins to Saint Jude Thaddaeus?

#3. Where is the Nationwide Center of Saint Jude Devotions located?

#4. Where is Saint Jude buried?

#5. Why was Saint Jude killed?

#6. What apostles is Jude often mistaken for?

#7. Saints Simon and Jude are venerated together in the Roman Catholic Church on which day?

#8. The devotion to Jude as the patron saint of desperate causes started during what century?

#9. How many times was Apostle Jude mentioned in the New Testament?

#10. By what other name is Jude known or called?

Finish

Results

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FAQs about Saint Jude

When is St. Jude’s feast day?

St. Jude’s feast day is the 28th of October.

Resources Facts about Saint Jude

https://ourlordstyle.com/blogs/christian-writings/classic-christian-symbols-and-their-meanings-the-twelve-apostles
https://stjudethaddaeus.wordpress.com/welcome-to-my-website-dedicates-to-saint-jude-thaddaeus-the-patron-saint-of-desperate-and-of-lost-causes/
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-simon-and-jude

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