A novena is a traditional form of Catholic devotion that consists of prayer said on nine consecutive days or weeks. When you perform a Novena to St. Jude, you're asking for help from the Patron Saint of Desperate Cases and Lost Causes.
The practice of the Novena to Saint Jude originated from the ancient Christian tradition of novenas. Rooted in the nine days that the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary spent in prayer between Christ's Ascension into Heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, novenas reflect a period of patient prayer and anticipation.
The Novena to Saint Jude gradually developed as more and more faithful began to seek the intercession of Saint Jude for desperate situations. Over time, different versions of the prayer have been developed, but the common theme remains: seeking help in times of great need.
The popularity of the Novena to Saint Jude grew significantly in the 20th century, especially in the United States. The Claretian Missionaries, an order founded in Spain, were instrumental in promoting devotion to Saint Jude Thaddeus. In 1929, they initiated the National Shrine of Saint Jude in Chicago, which has since become a center for the devotion of Saint Jude and continues to perpetuate the Novena to Saint Jude.
The Novena to Saint Jude has offered solace and hope to countless individuals around the globe. In desperate cases and lost causes, individuals find a sense of hope and consolation, reminding them of the spiritual support that always stands ready to help.
This Novena is more than just a prayer; it's a symbol of faith, a lifeline for those in desperate situations, and a testament to the unyielding hope of believers. Its rich history mirrors the enduring power of faith to find light even in the darkest circumstances. While the world continues to change and evolve, the Novena to Saint Jude remains a steadfast spiritual resource, offering hope, comfort, and a pathway to divine assistance.
The novena is traditionally prayed between October 19th and 28th, which is the feast day of Saint Jude Thaddeus.
Prayer to Saint Jude.- O glorious apostle, Saint Jude Thaddeus, true relative of Jesus and Mary, I salute you through the most 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. Oh, despise not my poor prayer; let not my trust be confounded! To you God has granted the privilege of aiding humankind in the most desperate cases. 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 client until I can thank you in heaven. Amen.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Saint Jude, relative of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
Saint Jude, while on earth deemed worthy to see Jesus and Mary, and to enjoy their company, pray for us.
Saint Jude, raised to the dignity of an apostle, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who had the honor of beholding your Divine Master humble himself to wash your feet, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who at the Last Supper received the Holy Eucharist from the hands of Jesus, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who after the profound grief which the death of your beloved Master caused you, had the consolation of beholding Him risen from the dead, and assisting at His glorious Ascension, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who was filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who preached the Gospel in Persia, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who converted many people to the Faith, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who performed wonderful miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who restored an idolatrous king to health, of both soul and body, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who imposed silence on demons, and confounded their oracles, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who foretold to a weak prince an honorable peace with a powerful enemy, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who took from deadly serpents the power of injuring people, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who disregarding the threats of the impious, courageously preached the doctrine of Christ, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who gloriously suffered martyrdom for the love of your Divine Master, pray for us.
Blessed apostle, with confidence we invoke you.
Blessed apostle, with confidence we invoke you.
Blessed apostle, with confidence we invoke you.
Saint Jude, help of the hopeless, aid me in my distress.
Saint Jude, help of the hopeless, aid me in my distress.
Saint Jude, help of the hopeless, aid me in my distress.
That by your intercession, both priests and people of the Church may obtain an ardent zeal for the Faith of Jesus Christ, we beseech you, hear us.
That you defend our Sovereign Pontiff and obtain peace and unity for the Holy Church, we beseech you, hear us.
That all heathen and unbelievers may be converted to the true Faith, we beseech you, hear us.
That faith, hope, and charity may increase in our hearts, we beseech you, hear us.
That we may be delivered from all evil thoughts, and from all the snares of the devil, we beseech you, hear us.
That you aid and protect all those who honor you, we beseech you, hear us.
That you preserve us all from sin and from all occasions of sin, we beseech you, hear us.
That you defend us at the hour of death, against the fury of the devil and his evil spirits, we beseech you, hear us.
Pray for us, that before death, we may expiate all our sins by sincere repentance and the worthy reception of the Holy Sacraments.
Pray for us, that we may appease the Divine Justice, and obtain a favorable judgment.
Pray for us, that we may be admitted into the company of the blessed, to rejoice in the presence of our God, forever.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Saint Jude, pray for us,
And for all who invoke your aid.
(...Make your request to Saint Jude at this time...)
Glorious apostle, martyr and relative of Jesus, Saint Jude Thaddeus, who spread the true Faith among the most barbarous and distant nations; who won to the obedience of Jesus Christ many tribes and peoples by the power of His Holy Word, grant, I beseech you, from this day I may renounce every sinful habit, that I may be preserved from all evil thoughts, that I may always obtain your assistance, particularly in every danger and difficulty, and that I may safely reach the heavenly country, with you, to adore the most Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
