St. Jude Thaddeus

Thursday, October 28

St. Jude - Patron Saint for "Impossible Causes"

Mrs. Mahler's kindergarten kids have placed the statue of St. Jude in a prominent place in our classroom: in our religion center right next to the statue of the Virgin Mary, right below Madonna and Child portrait. We have learned that St. Jude is the saint to pray to for "impossible causes". I chose this saint for my classroom for several reasons: I lived in Mississippi for a few years and was so inspired by the love, trust, and especially the hope that our Savior bestowed upon the children in St. Jude's Hospital. Christ is ever-present in the heart and souls of his little children who suffer. St. Jude's Hospital is a place where those impossible prayers are answered for the families of children suffering from cancer. Another reason I chose this wonderful saint is to offer inspiration for my young learners. Learning can be such a challenge and they may become frustrated with the progress of their own abilities and might feel like learning is impossible - especially the task of tying their shoes. St. Jude reminds us that all things are possible if you place your faith in the Lord- and a little practice doesn't hurt either. Finally, as a survivor of a life-altering car accident that left me with a lasting handicap. St. Jude reminds me that it is possible to be a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a friend. If you feel like life is a little "impossible" - stop our room by for a prayer to St. Jude.

Here's some information about our Saint:

Memorial

28 October (Roman Church); 19 June (Eastern Church)

Profile

Son of Cleophas, who died a martyr, and Mary who stood at the foot of the Cross, and who anointed Christ's body after death. Brother of Saint James the Lesser; nephew of Mary and Joseph; blood relative of Jesus Christ, and reported to look a lot like him. May have been a fisherman.

Writer of the canonical letter. Preached in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia with Saint Simon. Healer. Exorcist. Could exorcise pagan idols, which caused the demons to flee and the statues to crumble.

His patronage of lost or impossible causes traditionally derives from confusion by many early Christians between Jude and Judas; not understanding the difference between the names, they never prayed for Jude's help, and devotion to him became something of a lost cause.

Died

Beaten to death with a club, then beheaded post-mortem in 1st century Persia; relics at Saint Peter's, Rome, at Rheims, and at Toulouse, France

Name Meaning - Sweetness or gentleness of character (Thaddeus)

Patronage -  forgotten causes, hospital workers, hospitals, impossible causes, lost causes, diocese of Saint Petersburg, Florida