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Saint1st century · Feast October 28

St Jude Thaddeus

Also known as Jude the Apostle, Thaddeus, Judas son of James, Saint Jude

Apostle
Martyr

One of the Twelve Apostles, widely invoked as a companion in desperate or seemingly impossible situations.

A note on content. This profile is a prototype draft. Devotional traditions, historical facts and uncertain traditions will be clearly identified once entries are reviewed. We do not publish invented quotations.

The story of their life

Jude, also called Thaddeus, appears in the Gospel lists of the Twelve and asks Jesus a question at the Last Supper. Later tradition remembers him as a missionary and martyr. Devotion to him grew especially among people who felt that their needs were too desperate or neglected to bring forward.

Historical context

Jude belonged to the apostolic generation that carried Christian faith beyond Judea into the wider Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds.

Defining moments

  • Being chosen among the Twelve
  • Questioning Jesus at the Last Supper
  • Sharing in the apostolic mission
  • Serving as a missionary according to tradition
  • Dying as a martyr according to tradition

Faith and spirituality

Hope that persists when circumstances appear closed, joined to apostolic faith and patient trust.

Why this saint matters today

Jude is especially meaningful when a person feels abandoned, desperate or afraid that no path forward remains.

Patronage and intercession

People turn to St Jude Thaddeus in matters of:

Desperate cases
Impossible causes
Hospitals
People without hope

A prayer

God of hope, through St Jude’s intercession sustain us when every way seems closed and lead us toward wise, faithful action. Amen.

Timeline

  1. c. 27–30

    Is chosen among the Twelve Apostles

  2. c. 30–33

    Speaks with Jesus at the Last Supper

  3. 1st century

    Carries out missionary work according to tradition

  4. 1st century

    Dies as a martyr according to tradition

Sources and further reading

  • https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/10/28.html
  • https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/

Source-quality status: unverified prototype