The Litany of St. Jude is a traditional prayer honoring one of the Twelve Apostles, St. Jude Thaddeus, who is widely known as the patron of hopeless causes. Through a series of short lines of praise and petition, it recalls Jude’s life as a disciple and apostle of Jesus and asks for his prayers for the Church, for protection from sin and the snares of the devil, and for help in times of great need. The litany closes with a prayer for those who are weighed down by trouble and in need of hope. This version is adapted from a traditional litany published in 1929 by the Dominican Shrine of St. Jude in Chicago, with the language updated to modern American English and some of the lines revised.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, 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.
St. Jude, disciple of Jesus, pray for us.
St. Jude, who, while on earth, was considered worthy to see Jesus and Mary and to enjoy their company, pray for us.
St. Jude, raised to the dignity of an apostle, pray for us.
St. Jude, chosen by Christ as one of the Twelve, pray for us.
St. Jude, who had the honor of seeing your Divine Master humble Himself to wash your feet, pray for us.
St. Jude, who at the Last Supper received the Holy Eucharist from the hands of Jesus, pray for us.
St. Jude, who, after the deep grief caused by the death of your beloved Master, had the consolation of seeing Him risen from the dead and of being present at His glorious Ascension, pray for us.
St. Jude, who was filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, pray for us.
St. Jude, who received from Christ authority over unclean spirits, pray for us.
St. Jude, who preached the Gospel in Persia, pray for us.
St. Jude, who led many people to the Faith, pray for us.
St. Jude, who performed wonderful miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
St. Jude, who, despite threats, courageously preached the doctrine of Christ, pray for us.
St. Jude, who gloriously suffered martyrdom for the love of your Divine Master, pray for us.
Blessed apostle, with confidence, we call on you.
Blessed apostle, with confidence, we call on you.
Blessed apostle, with confidence, we call on you.
St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress.
St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress.
St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress.
That through your intercession both priests and people of the Church may receive an ardent zeal for the Faith of Jesus Christ, we ask you, hear us.
That you would pray for our Holy Father, the Pope, and for peace and unity in the Holy Church, we ask you, hear us.
That all unbelievers may be converted to the true Faith, we ask you, hear us.
That faith, hope, and charity may increase in our hearts, we ask you, hear us.
That we may be delivered from all evil thoughts and from all the snares of the devil, we ask you, hear us.
That all who honor you may be aided and protected through your prayers, we ask you, hear us.
That through your prayers we may be preserved from all sin and from every occasion of sin, we ask you, hear us.
That through your prayers we may be defended at the hour of death against the fury of the devil and his evil spirits, we ask you, hear us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Let us pray.
O St. Jude, faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, glorious apostle and martyr, renowned for your virtues and miracles, prompt intercessor for all who honor you and trust in you, you are a powerful patron and helper in grievous afflictions. We come to you and ask from the depths of our hearts: come to our aid with your powerful intercession, for you are honored as the patron of those who have almost lost all hope. Amen.
St. Jude, pray for us and for all who call on your aid.