St. Jude -- helper in great need


St. Jude Thaddeus has become universally known as the "patron of hopeless and desperate cases". St. Jude has obtained recovery for those stricken with maladies that defied human skill and remedies. He has obtained grace to overcome deeply-rooted evil habits -- those afflictions that are far more difficult to cure than any sickness. Because of his own love for purity, and his zealous care in preserving it, he has come to be regarded as a special protector of this virtue. All who are in trouble should be filled with confidence in the intercession of St. Jude, for the saving virtue of our prayer proceeds from confidence, the saints tell us. St. Jude is the helper, the consoler, of all oppressed with heavy trials.

To ask St. Jude's intercession:

1. Prayer for a special favor: Glorious apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, true lover of Jesus and Mary, I greet you through the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through this heart I praise and thank God for all the graces He has bestowed upon you. Humbly prostrate before you, I implore you, through this heart, to look down upon me with compassion. Despise not my poor prayers -- let not my trust be confounded -- to you God has granted the privilege of aiding mankind in the most desperate cases. (here make your request) Oh, come to my aid, that I may praise the mercies of God! All my life I will be grateful to you and will be your faithful devotee until I can thank you in heaven. Amen.

2. Prayer for spiritual help: Glorious apostle, martyr, and servant of Jesus, St. Jude Thaddeus, grant, I beg you, that from this day forth I may renounce my sinful habit(s) of (here state your problem), that I may be preserved from all evil thoughts, that I may always obtain your assistance, particularly in danger and difficulty, and that I may reach heaven with you to adore the Most Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

3. Prayer for help in trials: Most holy apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master into the hands of His enemies has caused you to be forgotten by many. But the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases -- of things despaired of. Make use, I implore you, of that particular privilege accorded you of bringing 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 succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (here make your request), and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to you. Amen.

4. Prayer for grievous affliction: St. Jude Thaddeus, relative of Jesus and Mary, glorious apostle and martyr, renowned for your virtues and miracles, faithful and prompt intercessor for all who honor you and trust in you! Powerful patron and helper in grievous affliction, I come to you and entreat you with all my heart to come to my aid, for you have received from God the privilege of assisting with manifest help those who almost despair. Look down upon me -- my life is a life of crosses, my days are full of tribulation, and my paths are strewn with thorns -- and scarcely one moment passes but is witness of my tears and sighs. My soul is enveloped in darkness, disquietude, discouragement, mistrust -- yes, sometimes even a kind of despair preys upon me. Divine Providence seems lost to my sight, and faith seems to falter in my heart. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, I see myself surrounded by a dark cloud. You cannot forsake me in this sad plight! I will not depart from you until you have heard me! Oh! hasten to my aid. I will thank God for the graces bestowed upon you, and will propagate your honor according to my power. Amen.

Links relating to St. Jude:
National Shrine of St. Jude
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Links not relating to St. Jude:
ebear's home page

6/24/98