who is Saint Jude?
A brief Introduction
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Saint Jude: one of Twelve Apostles
In the list of the Apostles given in the Gospel accounts, he is generally identified with “Thaddeus”, and is variously known as Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus, Jude (brother or son) of James, or Lebbaeus. (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13)
He is sometimes identified with Jude, referred to in the Bible as “brother” or “kinsman” of Jesus. Some Latin manuscripts of Matthew 10:3 refer to him as Judas the Zealot. (Luke 6:16; Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55-57)
Life, Mission and Martyrdom
Very little is known about Jude’s life after Jesus’ death and resurrection, but tradition holds that he preached the Gospel widely across the Middle East, including Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, Libya, Beirut, and Edessa.
After spreading the message of God’s love, he was martyred for his faith, reportedly around 65 AD in Beirut, together with the apostle Simon the Zealot.
The Roman Catholic Church commemorates both saints on 28 October, a day marked by devotion at sites such as the National Shrine of Saint Jude in Faversham.
Identity and Biblical Reference
For many centuries, he was wrongly confused with Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.
However, The Gospel of John refers to a disciple called “Judas”, but “Not Iscariot”.
He is also not to be confused with “Thaddeus of Edessa”, one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus to proclaim the Kingdom of God.
The Letter or Epistle of Saint Jude in the Bible is usually attributed to the Apostle Jude (read it here).
Relics and rESPECT
In AD 700, his relics, together with those of Saint Simon (who shares the same Feast Day), were conveyed to Rome and installed in the old Vatican Basilica.
Records indicate that devotion to their cult was especially strong by the twelfth century, with two altars beneath which their relics rested being incensed during solemn night vigils.
When Saint Peter’s Basilica was rebuilt, the relics were re-established under a single altar in the north transept on 27 December 1665. This altar is positioned directly over the area where modern archaeology suggests Saint Peter was crucified, continuing the veneration of these apostles in Rome.
Saint Jude in
religious art
In religious art Saint Jude is normally shown holding a club, axe or palm branch, the symbols of his martyrdom, or a scroll or book containing his epistle.
Another common attribute in depictions of Jude is to show him holding an image of Jesus, symbolising his relationship to Christ as a blood relative, or a carpenter’s rule, showing that he was a follower of Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth.
In icons Jude is often shown with a flame around his head, representing his receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost with the other apostles.
Devotion to Saint Jude today
Jude is today revered as a saint with widespread devotion among Christians of many denominations, especially Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and Anglicans.
Various places in the world claim to have some of the mortal remains of Saint Jude preserved as relics, including Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome (see above), and monasteries in Armenia.
In the Catholic tradition (and others) of Christianity, saints – God’s holy men and women both on earth and in heaven – are regarded as models of how to follow Jesus Christ, and as “intercessors”. Saints are not a substitute for a personal relationship with God, but can be seen as friends who ask God for what we truly need, even when we do not know it ourselves.
A relic of Saint Jude is held in great reverence at Faversham, and used to bless oil which people use as part of their prayer in asking for God’s gift of healing.
Saint Jude is the patron saint of various groups and places, and is best known as the patron of “desperate” or “difficult” cases.
Saint Jude is therefore the Patron Saint and Apostle of HOPE.
Saint Jude and the Carmelite Family
Carmelites try to nurture a close relationship with Christ and his family – especially Mary the Mother of God – and so perhaps it was natural that devotion to Jude, Apostle and Kinsman of Christ, should have become popular in Carmelite communities, not only in Faversham but around the world.
Today there are various small shrines, altars and statues of Jude found across the Carmelite Family worldwide. Carmelite friars, sisters and laity around the world have experienced God’s blessing through the intercession of Saint Jude, and through the generosity of his friends who support the work of the Carmelites by their prayers and donations.
Saint Jude is also revered as a holy man by various faiths other than Christianity. A number of Hindu pilgrims come to the National Shrine of Saint Jude in order to give reverence to him. All people of goodwill are welcome.
Reflections on the Apostle of Hope
