Jude Thaddeus

(Georges de La Tour, ca. 1620) (link)

Feast Day October 28

Patron of Desperate Causes, Lost Causes, Hospitals

Situations Desperation, Hopelessness, Impossible Cases

Professions Hospital Workers

Saint Jude Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, is the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes. Not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, he is traditionally believed to have preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Mesopotamia, and Libya. He was martyred in Persia alongside the apostle Simon.

Prayer to Saint Jude (Oratio ad Sanctum Iudam)

Sancte Iuda, Apostole et Martyr,

Saint Jude, Apostle and Martyr,

virtúte magnus et mérito praeclare,

great in virtue and rich in merit,

Iesu Christi fidelis intercessor:

faithful intercessor of Jesus Christ:

memor esto mei,

remember me,

qui ad te confúgio in angústiis meis.

who comes to you in my distress.

Obtíne mihi, quaeso,

Obtain for me, I beg,

gratiam quam húmiliter implóro.

the grace which I humbly implore.

Ne despícias petitiónem meam;

Do not despise my petition;

tu enim peculiáriter et próprie

for you are especially and properly

patrónus es desperatórum.

the patron of desperate cases.

Amen.

— Traditional prayer