St. Jude

Jude was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is generally identified with Thaddeus, and is also variously called Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. He is sometimes identified with Jude, Brother of Jesus but is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot, another disciple and later the betrayer of Jesus.

By Heather
St. Jude was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ (Thaddeus). He is the patron saint of lost and desperate causes. It is believed that for some time, St. Jude was often confused with Judas Iscariot, betrayer of Jesus Christ.

St Jude is often portrayed as holding an image of Jesus in his had. This legend comes from the story of a King who asked Jesus to cure him of leprosy. This king believed that simply seeing a picture of Jesus would cure him. Impressed with the faith of this King, Jesus pressed his face to a cloth and gave it to Jude to deliver. The King looked at the image and was instantly cured, at which point he converted to christianity.

He is often shown with a flame around his head, which is a symbol of his receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

After the crucifixion of Jesus, Jude traveled around Persia and the middle east with Simon, and is believed to have converted many to the Christian faith. He was believed to have been martyred, and is often perceived as carrying an axe, a symbol of his death and ultimate sacrifice.

His body resides in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and receives many visitors. In his New Testament letter he tells the faithful they should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances, which has earned him the moniker as the Patron saint of desperate causes.

St. Jude is the patron of may establishments of lost causes, such as the St. Jude's Children's research Hospital in Tennessee (provides help for terminally ill children). “ Saint Jude, Hope of the Hopeless, Pray for me ”