Most holy Apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes thee universally as the patron of hopeless cases, of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so miserable; make use I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded to thee, 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 consolations and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (here make your request) and that I may bless God with thee and all the elect forever.
I promise thee, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor thee as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to thee. Amen.
May the most just, most high and most adorable Will of God be in all things done, praised and magnified, forever and ever. Amen.
A traditional novena prayer to St. Jude.
Dear Apostle and Martyr for Christ, you left us an Epistle in the New Testament. With good reason many invoke you when illness is at a desperate stage. We now recommend to your kindness (name of patient) who is in a critical condition. May the cure of this patient increase his/her faith and love for the Lord of Life, for the glory of our merciful God. Amen.
Say this prayer, followed by the Our Father and the Hail Mary. From EWTN.
The word novena comes from the Latin novem, “nine.” Pray the novena prayer once a day for nine days, bringing your intention to God through St. Jude’s intercession. Many begin on October 19 so the novena ends on his feast day, October 28, but the novena may be prayed at any time of year.
For someone who is seriously ill, add the prayer for the sick each day, followed by an Our Father and a Hail Mary. Keep seeking good medical care, and ask a priest to bring the sick person the Sacraments, especially the Anointing of the Sick.
St. Jude, also called Thaddeus, was one of the twelve apostles. He is not Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus (Luke 22:47–48). In the short New Testament letter that bears his name, he calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James (Jude 1).
St. John’s Gospel records the question Jude asked at the Last Supper: “Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him’” (John 14:22–23).
The Church celebrates his feast on October 28 together with St. Simon. Tradition holds that the two apostles preached together and died as martyrs.
According to the ancient Church historian Eusebius, King Abgar of Edessa was suffering from an incurable disease and wrote to Jesus asking Him to come. Jesus replied that He would send one of His disciples. After the Ascension, Jude went to Edessa, laid his hands on the king, and Abgar was healed (CNA). Ever since, Christians have turned to St. Jude when a situation seems beyond hope.
His own letter urges the faithful to “contend for the faith” and to keep themselves in the love of God (Jude 3, 21).
St. Jude, pray for us!
Share this prayer
Please know that every prayer request shared here is kept strictly confidential. Your request will go to the Brothers, who will intercede for you. We will place your intentions before our Eucharistic King during our daily hours of adoration.
