After the martyrdom, pilgrims came to his grave to pray and many of them experienced the powerful intercessions of St. Jude. Thus the title, ‘The Saint for the Hopeless and the Despaired’. St. Bridget of Sweden & St. Bernard had visions from God asking him to accept St. Jude as ‘The

Patron Saint of the Impossible’. In 1548, Pope Paul III declared the feast of St. Jude to be celebrated on ‘October 28’ every year. In the 18th century, the popular devotion of St. Jude was strengthened in France and Germany. Today, more than ever before, the world is witnessing St. Jude’s powerful intercessions on behalf of the helpless and the devotion to St. Jude is spreading with the blessing of our living God.

The Apostle Saint Jude Thaddeus is “The Miraculous Saint,” the Catholic Patron Saint of “lost causes” and “cases despaired of”. When all other avenues are closed, he is the one to call upon, and his help often comes at the last moment.

Dressed in green and white Biblical-era clothing — for he was one of the Disciples of Jesus — he is distinguished by the fact that he often wears and holds a golden metal pendant of the type carried by people seeking his aid. Additionally, in some images of Saint Jude, there is a small flame atop his head, signifying the Baptism by Fire (also known as the Baptism of the Holy Ghost) which was received by the Disciples of Jesus at Pentecost. Saint Jude is one whose aid is sought when all hope is lost, especially in grave health matters and life-and death situations.

After the death of Jesus, St. Jude traveled throughout Mesopotamia, Libya, and Persia with St. Simon preaching and converting many people to Christianity. He is believed to have been martyred in Persia or Syria. The axe that he is often shown holding in pictures symbolizes the way in which he was killed — truly, he paid the ultimate price for his faith. After his death his body was brought back to Rome and was placed in a crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.

In the Middle Ages, St. Bernard of Clairvaux (France) was a renowned devotee of St. Jude, as was St. Bridget of Sweden who, in a vision, was encouraged by Jesus to turn to St. Jude with faith and confidence. He told her that, in accordance with Jude’s surname, Thaddeus (which means generous, courageous, and kind), “he will show himself to be the most willing to give you help.”