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St. Jude: The Underdog Apostle of Lost Causes

Discover the inspiring story of St. Jude, the lesser-known apostle who became the patron saint of lost causes through his unwavering faith and quiet dedication, offering hope to those facing seemingly impossible situations.

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Though not the most frequently mentioned apostle in the Bible, St. Jude has become one of the most beloved Catholic saints, especially for those facing desperate situations.

Known also as St. Jude Thaddaeus to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot, he worked quietly in the background while spreading the gospel. After Jesus’ death, he journeyed through Mesopotamia and Persia, bringing Christianity to distant lands. Yet he never sought credit or fame for his missionary work.

Through simple, unshakable faith, St. Jude fulfilled his mission. According to tradition, his fearless preaching challenged local authorities and eventually led to his martyrdom. But even in the face of death, he never wavered in speaking truth.

This unwavering faith in impossible odds made him the perfect patron of hopeless causes. In his powerful epistle urging Christians to “snatch others from the fire” (Jude 1:23), St. Jude became a voice for perseverance against all adversity. His words continue to inspire those facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Over the centuries, St. Jude’s reputation as a miracle worker grew. Desperate souls with no other alternatives began invoking his intercession in their darkest hours. Today, his legacy lives on not only in prayer but also in institutions like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where hope prevails against impossible odds.

St. Jude offers a lifeline to those ready to give up, reminding us that God’s loving power can triumph over even the bleakest situations. He shows us that with deep faith, nothing is ever truly lost.

So the next time you face an impossible circumstance, remember this underdog apostle; he understands, and he stands ready to intercede on your behalf.

St. Jude

Intercessory Prayers

St. Jude

About St. Jude

St. Jude Thaddeus, known as the patron saint of hopeless causes, was one of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles and is often confused with Judas Iscariot. According to tradition, he was a brother of St. James the Less and a relative of Jesus, preaching the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Libya after Christ’s death and resurrection. He is believed to have written the Epistle of Jude in the New Testament, a short but powerful letter warning against false teachers. His patronage of impossible causes stems from a reported vision of Christ telling him to assist those in most desperate need, and from the theory that because his name was so similar to Judas Iscariot, people only prayed to him as a last resort. According to tradition, he was martyred in Persia with St. Simon the Zealot, being clubbed to death and then beheaded. He is typically depicted in religious art holding an image of Christ (referring to the legend of King Abgar) and often with a club or axe, symbolizing his martyrdom. Today, he is one of the most popular saints, particularly invoked in times of crisis or when all hope seems lost.

Get the scoop — “St. Jude: The Underdog of Lost Causes”

Prayers & Devotions

St. Jude Novena — Honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This prayer is to be prayed 9 times every day for 9 consecutive days in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for a special request through the intercession of St Jude.

Get the scoop — “St. Jude: The Underdog of Lost Causes”

Prayer Video — St. Jude Novena

ST JUDE NOVENA PRAYER (Honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus)
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, loved, honored, and glorified throughout the world now and forever.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
St. Theresa, little flower of Jesus, pray for us.
St. Jude, helper of the helpless, pray for us.
St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us.

Your prayer request will be answered on the 8th day of the novena.

On the 9th day, place 9 copies of the novena in a church or chapel; then light a candle.

St Jude Novena (Honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus)Download

Mike’s Testimony to this Novena

Prayer to St. Jude for Urgent Financial Help

This powerful Prayer to St. Jude implores his intercession for urgent financial needs and financial breakthrough.

Prayer to St. Jude for Urgent Financial Help

Prayer Video – Prayer to St. Jude for Urgent Financial Help

Saint Jude Thaddeus, apostle of Christ and glorious martyr, great intercessor in all difficult problems. Today I turn to you with great faith to ask for your generous assistance, for I am afflicted and tormented by the lack of economic means. You, who are my beloved saint, my blessed patron and noble protector, welcome my soul and my body, my mind and my heart; I, humbly prostrated before you, I ask by the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that you cast me a compassionate glance and despise not my heartfelt prayer, so my confidence be not in vain. You who, in addition to a singular love, were united with links of kinship to the Divine Redeemer Jesus Christ, source of all good, and are a powerful aid of the desperate.

Pray for me my patron saint, my aid, so that, assisted by your precious intercession, I may receive a prompt and efficacious solution for my overwhelming needs.

Make it so that I can obtain urgently, needed cash to meet all my expenses, payments, debts, and have peace of mind and tranquility. Make it so, I beg you, with the certainty of being heard, that I obtain what I need so much: (Ask for everything that you want to attain)

Blessed Saint Jude, I honor you with special affection and devotion, hand me the presence and strength of God. Protect me in all my circumstances, may your help and consolation never cease. Obtain for me by the grace of the Lord Jesus, Mary and Joseph, deliverance, prosperity, work and health; make it so that well-being is installed in my home.

As an expression of my affection and gratitude, I promise you I will promote an authentic devotion to you and already from this moment, I infinitely give you thanks for all your favors. So be it.

The Apostles’ Creed (pray 1 time)
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.

Our Father (Pray 3 times)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Hail Mary (Pray 3 times)
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.Amen.

Glory Be (Pray 3 times)
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning
is now, and ever shall be
world without end.
Amen.

Novena to St. Jude

The Novena to St. Jude, the patron saint of difficult and desperate cases, is a plea for heavenly assistance and intercession, asking St. Jude for his prayers and intercession with the Lord to bring swift and visible help in time of great need, particularly for a specific request.

Get the scoop — “St. Jude: The Underdog of Lost Causes”

Prayer Video – Novena to St. Jude

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.

Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly – (make your request here) – and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

PRAYER
May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the tabernacles until the end of time. Amen.

May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen.

St. Jude pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen.

Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Blessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all Eternity.

[Pray the Our Father and the Hail Mary]

See More Prayers

St. Jude Chaplet

The St. Jude Chaplet invokes St. Jude Thaddaeus, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, who is known as the patron saint of hopeless and difficult causes. The prayer asks St. Jude to pray for the person reciting it, that they may receive comfort and aid from God during hardships, trials, and sufferings.

Get the scoop — “St. Jude: The Underdog of Lost Causes”

St. Jude Chaplet

Prayer Video – Chaplet of St. Jude

Introductory Prayer:
St. Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the patron of things despaired of.

Pray for me, that I may receive the consolations and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly for … [Mention your petitions now] … and that I may bless God with all the Saints throughout eternity. Amen.

Hail Mary… (pray 3 times)

St. Jude, Apostle, Martyr and relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St. Joseph, intercede for me.

Hail Mary… (pray 3 times)

St. Jude, Apostle, Martyr and relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St. Joseph, intercede for me.

Hail Mary… (pray 3 times)

St. Jude, Apostle, Martyr and relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St. Joseph, intercede for me.

Closing Prayer:
O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, relative of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special help in time of need.

To you I have recourse from the depths of my heart and I humbly request your heavenly assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition.

[Mention your petitions now]

In return, I promise to make your name known and to promote this prayerful devotion to others. Amen.