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". Because the saints in heaven live fully in the presence of God, yet are still bound to those living on earth by bonds of love, they present our needs to God. The saints are not a substitute for developing a personal relationship with God, but they can be regarded as our friends, asking God for what we truly need, even if we do not know what that need may be ourselves.
Here you will find a selection of popular prayers asking Saint Jude as our model and friend to intercede for us before God. We have also included a number of prayers which will help with hope.
O glorious apostle, Saint Jude Thaddeus, true relative of Jesus and Mary, I salute you and praise God for the honour of his saints. I praise and thank God for all the graces He has bestowed upon you and the apostles, and through you, upon the Church. In humility I implore you to pray for me before God, looking upon me with compassion. Oh, despise not my poor prayer; let not my trust be confounded! To you God has granted the privilege of aiding humankind in the most desperate cases. Oh, come to my aid, that I may praise the mercies of God. All my life I will be grateful to you and will be your faithful client until I can thank you in heaven. Amen.
(words in italics are said by the congregation when prayed in a group)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Saint Jude, relative of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
Saint Jude, while on earth deemed worthy to see Jesus and Mary, and to enjoy their company, pray for us.
Saint Jude, raised to the dignity of an apostle of Christ, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who had the honor of beholding your Divine Master Jesus Christ humble himself to wash your feet, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who at the Last Supper received the Holy Eucharist from the hands of Jesus, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who after the profound grief which the death of your beloved Master caused you, had the consolation of beholding Him risen from the dead, and assisting at His glorious Ascension, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who was filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, pray for us.
Saint Jude, in whom the Holy Spirit inspired words of Scripture, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who preached the Gospel in the Middle East, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who converted many people to the Good News of God's love, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who performed wonderful miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who restored an idolatrous king to health, of both body and soul, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who imposed silence on demons, and confounded their oracles, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who fortold to a weak prince an honorable peace with a powerful enemy, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who took from deadly serpents the power of injuring people, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who disregarding the threats of the impious, courageously preached the Good News of Jesus Christ, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who gloriously suffered martyrdom for the love of your Divine Master, pray for us.
Blessed apostle, with confidence we invoke you.
Blessed apostle, with confidence we invoke you.
Blessed apostle, with confidence we invoke you.
Saint Jude, help of the desperate, aid me in my distress.
Saint Jude, help of the desperate, aid me in my distress.
Saint Jude, help of the desperate, aid me in my distress.
That by your intercession, both priests and people of the Church may obtain an ardent zeal for the Faith of Jesus Christ, we beseech you, hear us.
That you defend our Holy Father, all bishops, clergy, religious and laity, and obtain liberty, peace and unity for the Holy Church, we beseech you, hear us.
That all unbelievers may be converted to true faith in God, we beseech you, hear us.
That faith, hope and charity may increase in our hearts, we beseech you, hear us.
That we may be delivered from all evil thoughts, and from all the snares of the devil, we beseech you, hear us.
That you aid and protect all those who honour you, we beseech you, hear us.
That you preserve us all from sin and from all occasion of sin, we beseech you, hear us.
That you defend us at the hour of death, and commend us to the Lord, we beseech you, hear us.
Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Saint Jude, pray for us, and for all who invoke your aid.
[Make your request to Saint Jude at this time]
Prayer to Saint Jude
Glorious apostle, martyr and relative of Jesus, Saint Jude Thaddeus, who spread the Good News among distant nations; who won to the obedience of Jesus Christ many peoples by the power of his Holy Word; grant, I beseech you, from this day, that I may renounce every sinful habit, that I may be preserved from all evil thoughts, that I may love my neighbour as myself, that I may always obtain your assistance, particularly in every danger and difficulty, and that I may safely reach the heavenly country, with you, to adore the most Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Praying for Peace
Guiding Light
Lord Jesus Christ, when I am uncertain about what I should do, guide me along your path. You keep my path straight. When I don’t know which way to turn, teach me your paths. Help me to be attentive to your voice as you guide me through life. Your word is a lamp for my feet. You are my Saviour, you have rescued me from sin and I ask that you would protect me from making sinful choices. Shine the light of your love into my confusion. Bring clarity to my mind. Through your mighty name, Amen.
O God..
Prayer for those with COVID-19
Prayer for those who are sick
Lord Jesus Christ, I come before you today with a prayer for my sick family members. I give You thanks for Your unending love for [name of the person who needs healing]. I know You are aware of their illness and what it is doing to them. I pray that you may have compassion and heal them from their ailments.
Jesus our Lord, we all know that we are not worthy to receive You but only say a word and all our sickness shall be healed. Lord, forgive us and cleanse us from our sins. Your Holy Word says that when You healed those who were sick, You did that by forgiving them their sins.
The Holy Bible tells us that whatever we shall ask in Your Name shall be given. The blind man, Bartimaeus called out Your name and begged to see again, and You restored his sight. Jesus, today I come to You in prayer shouting in faith to you that You restore [names of sick family members] health.
Teach me and them gratitude so that after they receive the healing, I and they may come back to You in prayer to thank you for healing my sick family members.
Jesus Christ, You have taught us about patience through the Holy Spirit. I know that not everyone can be healed. If that is the case, let your peace descend upon [names of sick family members] and keep their hearts at peace, help them to understand your plan for them.
Prayer for sickness
“Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the Sick, I turn to You in this time of illness. Dearest Comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with Your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. We place our worries in Your hands.
We ask that You restore Your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge Your holy will and know that whatever You do, You do for the love of us. Amen.”
Lectio Divina with Saint Jude
Lectio Divina - which means 'Holy Reading' - is a way of meditating upon the Bible. It is an ancient way of prayer that was revived in the 20th century by religious orders such as the Carmelites. A good form of prayer in honour of Saint Jude would be to do a Lectio Divina meditation on the book of the Bible attributed to the Apostle. Please click here for a guide to Lectio Divina, and click here for the Letter of Saint Jude.
An icon of Saint Jude at the Welcome Centre at the National Shrine
Prayer booklet
The new Shrine of Saint Jude prayer booklet has many more prayers, buy from our online shop.
