Novena to Saint Jude Thaddaeus
St Jude Thaddaeus, apostle of the Lord, is traditionally invoked in difficult and desperate causes. In São Paulo, the National Shrine of St Jude Thaddaeus (Jabaquara) is one of the largest devotional centres to this apostle in Brazil. This novena prepares for his feast on October 28.
Offering Prayer (every day)
Glorious St Jude Thaddaeus, apostle and martyr of Christ, we offer you this novena in thanksgiving for the favours you have obtained from God for your devotees, and in humble supplication for the grace we now entrust to you. Accept our confidence and intercede for us with the Lord. Amen.
The Nine Days
Day 1 — Apostle of Jesus
St Jude Thaddaeus — son of Alphaeus, relative of the Lord according to the flesh — was called by Jesus to the number of the Twelve. He followed him on the roads of Galilee and received, in the Upper Room, the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
St Jude, apostle of the Lord, obtain for us the living faith of the first Christians; help us to live the Gospel with the same courage with which you preached it. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 2 — The question in the Upper Room
In the Upper Room, after the Last Supper, Jude asked the Lord: how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world? (Jn 14:22) Jesus answered by promising the dwelling of the Trinity in those who love him.
St Jude, you who had the grace of hearing the Master’s final words, obtain for us an obedient heart, capable of welcoming and keeping his Word. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 3 — Author of the Epistle
The Letter of St Jude, brief but vigorous, exhorts the faithful to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). It is a call to perseverance in the midst of storms.
Apostle of the faith, strengthen us against the temptation to yield to unbelief. Keep firm our adherence to the doctrine received from the Church. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 4 — Missionary to the East
Apostolic tradition tells that St Jude preached in Mesopotamia, Syria, and Persia, often accompanied by St Simon. In distant lands, he brought the Name of Jesus to peoples who had never heard it.
Missionary of the East, set in us a zeal for evangelisation; remember the Christians persecuted today in lands you sanctified with your blood. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 5 — Martyr of Christ
According to tradition, St Jude was martyred in Persia along with St Simon. He gave the supreme witness, pouring out his blood for him whom he had followed in life.
Martyr of Christ, give us the courage of Christian witness in the face of the small and great trials of life; may we never be ashamed of the faith. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 6 — Patron of difficult causes
Popular devotion invokes St Jude Thaddaeus in difficult and desperate causes. Not because he works miracles on his own, but because, seeing our anguish, he carries our petition to the Heart of Christ, his Lord and kinsman according to the flesh.
Advocate of difficult causes, pray for us — and especially for those who at this moment feel without a way out. Restore hope where despair threatens to win. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 7 — Comfort of the afflicted
Whoever goes to St Jude’s shrines knows: there one sees the suffering people — the unemployed, the gravely ill, families in crisis, parents anguished by children far from the faith. And they leave consoled, because St Jude listens.
Comfort of the afflicted, carry to the Lord the affliction (state the intention). If it be God’s will, give us the solution; and in any case, give us inner peace. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 8 — Shrine of Jabaquara
The Vincentian religious arrived in the Jabaquara neighbourhood of São Paulo in 1940 and there planted devotion to St Jude. In a short time, the shrine became one of the largest in Brazil. Today, millions of faithful visit it every year.
Patron of our people, bless the shrines where you are venerated; the priests who preach the Gospel in your name; the faithful who go in pilgrimage to your image. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 9 — Tribute of gratitude
Brazil, grateful for the graces received, keeps alive devotion to St Jude. Every candle lit, every rosary prayed, every promise fulfilled is a sign that the Catholic faith still animates the heart of the people.
St Jude Thaddaeus, receive our gratitude for the graces you have already obtained for us and for so many. And crown this novena with the special grace we entrust to your intercession: (state the intention). Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Final Prayer (every day)
O God, who made known your Name to us through the preaching of the Apostles, grant, through the intercession of St Jude Thaddaeus, that the number of those who believe may always grow and your Church be confirmed. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.