I would like to introduce St. Jude Thaddaeus. Saint Jude Thaddaeus is venerated as the Patron of Difficult and Hopeless cases. Saint Jude was a closed relative to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Biography

St. Jude Thaddaeus was one of the Twelve Apostle of Jesus. St. Jude Thaddeus, whose name is shortened to St. Jude, was St. Joseph's nephew (St. Joseph's known as being the adoptive father of Jesus), son of St. Joseph's older brother. St. Jude's mother was also related to Virgin Mary; it is believed that St. Jude's mother was a first cousin of Virgin Mary. Basically, he was a full-blooded cousin of Jesus.St. Jude was the brother of St. James The Less, who is known to be Jesus' cousin as well. St. Jude is known by other names such as Jude Thaddaeus, Jude of James, Judas Thaddaeus, and Judah Thaddaeus. St. Jude's middle name is used to help differentiate him from Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. Judas Iscariot received thirty silver coins by turning Jesus with a kiss.

St. Jude's first miracle happened when Jesus Christ ordered him to take a piece of cloth to the King Abgar of Edessa. King Abgar was a leper and wanted to be cured of it. King Abgar sent his messenger to Jesus along with a painting requesting to please be cured. Jesus saw King Abgar's faith, so He placed His hands on a cloth; which left a drawing of His face in it. St. Jude took the cloth to Abgar with instructions to bathe in clear water and dry his skin with it (as instructed by Jesus). Micarously, King Abgar of Edessa was totally cured of leprosy. This could be a reason why St. Jude is also called Thaddaeus of Edessa.

St. Jude is the author of an epistle sent to the Churches of the East. This epistle is directed against the heresies committed by the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics. It is believed that St. Jude introduced Christianity to Armenia by the preaching of Jesus Christ Gospel. Little is known about St. Jude's death, but it is believed he was martyred in Armenia and Lebanon. His remains were taken to Rome and are buried in a crypt in Saint Peter's Basilica. Part of his bones are seen on the St. Joseph's altar at the Basilica; his tomb is shared with St. Simeon Zealot. Non-Catholic Christians like the Pilgrims have requested his intercession in times of desperation with success. St. Bernand and St. Bridget of Sweden had revelations of God in which He told them to accept St. Jude as the Patron of Lost Causes. St. Jude is acclaimed to be the Patron of Desperate Cases due to his prompt input of not losing one's faith no matter how harsh and difficult is one's situation. This can be read in the many St. Jude's letter found in the New Testament.

St. Jude is the Patron of the Chicago Police Department. St. Jude has been baptized as the Leading Saint of the U.S. Armed Forces. He is considered the patron of Dominican Republic's firefighting corps and the police department. Many churches, shrines, and hospital have adopted St. Jude's name throughout the world. St. Jude's Children Hospital bears his name and is located in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A. St. Jude's Children's Hospital treats children who are suffering cancer at no cost.

Prayer

The Roman Catholic Church created this prayer for St. Jude's intercession

"O most holy apostle, Saint Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invoke you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, and of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, who am so miserable.

"Make use, I implore you, of that particular privilege accorded to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help was almost despaired of. Come to mine assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolation and succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (here make your request) and that I may praise God with you and all the elect throughout eternity.

"I promise you, O blessed Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen."

St. Jude's Feast Day is celebrated on October 28th by the Catholic Church.

I hope that you enjoy reading about St. Jude and do more research on his prayers.