St. Jude the Apostle — chosen by Christ

From the Novena to St. Jude Thaddeus

Sacred Scripture: Luke 6:13-16

Meditation for Day 1

The novena opens by meditating on the call of St. Jude. He is named in the list of the Twelve in all three Synoptic Gospels — as Jude of James in Luke and Acts, and as Thaddeus in Matthew and Mark. He left his ordinary life, whatever it had been, to follow Jesus.

Today's prayer asks for the same docility to grace that allowed an ordinary Galilean to become an Apostle of the Lamb.

Daily Novena Prayer (recited every day)

Daily Novena Prayer 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, who am so miserable. Make use, I implore you, of that particular privilege accorded to you, to 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 (here make your request), and that I may praise God with you and all the elect forever. I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

This is the standard novena prayer used at the National Shrine of St. Jude (Claretian Missionaries, Chicago). It is recited each of the nine days. Pray Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be at the conclusion.