St. Jude

St. Jude is often referred to as the Patron Saint of Hope and impossible causes and is believed to be one of Jesus's original twelve Apostles. 

 

He preached the Gospel with great passion, often in the most difficult circumstances. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, he made profound differences in people's lives as he offered them the Word of God. Hence, St Jude is pictured with flame above his head, known as "The Tongue of Flame", representing the Holy Spirit who descends upon St Jude (and other Apostles) at Pentecost.

 

The statue of St. Jude Thaddeus displays him wearing a green and white robe which symbolizes hope and renewal. Just as in spring when foliage and flowers spring up with renewed life, we turn to St. Jude, our Patron of Hope, in difficult or seemingly hopeless times for his prayer of intercession.

 

St Jude carries a gold medallion of Jesus on his right hand and an axe on his left hand. The medallion is an impression of Jesus, known as “The Image of Edessa.” King Abgar of Edessa (now part of Turkey) was suffering from a serious illness. He had heard of Jesus healing others and called for Jesus to heal him. Jesus pressed His face onto a piece of cloth and gave it to St. Jude to present to King Abgar. Upon receiving the cloth King Abgar was healed. This scene is depicted in one of the stained glass windows at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, where the National Shrine of St. Jude is located. In contrast, the axe symbolizes the way in which he was killed as a martyr.