The Apostle of Mesopotamia and Persia

From the Novena to St. Jude Thaddeus

Sacred Scripture: Romans 10:14-15

Meditation for Day 4

Christian tradition holds that St. Jude preached the Gospel in Mesopotamia, in the region of present-day Iran and Iraq, often together with St. Simon the Zealot. The ancient liturgical books of the Eastern churches honour him as one of the founders of those Christian communities.

Today's prayer is for missionaries in difficult places and for the persecuted Christians of the lands where St. Jude first preached.

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.