Saint Jude Chapel
The apostle Jude Thaddeus is reknown for bringing people to Christ. The Saint Jude Chapel provides a means for the great apostle to continue his work making disciples of all the world.
The beautiful and inspirational Chapel of St. Jude is nestled among the trees on the Stephen D. Home complex. This majestic towering glass and wood structure inspires us to feel close to God and to worship Him in a natural setting.
Meditate as you traverse the long and wide flagstone walkway leading to the Chapel for a prayerful visit or for scheduled services or events.
Or imagine the photo opportunities of the beautiful bride in her gorgeous gown and with her attendants as they make their way to the chapel for the wedding ceremony.
The pews of the climate controlled chapel provide seating for 125.
Who is St. Jude?
St. Jude, known as Thaddeus, is a Christian saint, was a brother of St. James the Less, one of the twelve apostles, and a relative of Our Savior. St. Jude was also one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. Saints Jude and James are described by St. Matthew (13:55) as the “brethren” of Jesus, probably cousins. The Hebrew word for “brethren” indicates a blood relationship. His mother, Mary, was a cousin of the Blessed Mother.
St. Jude Thaddeus should not be confused with Judas Iscariot, another apostle and later the betrayer of Jesus.
The origins of devotion to St. Jude as the patron of impossible causes are nearly as obscure as details of the life of the great Apostle, but devotion to St. Jude has never been more popular than today.
Jesus inspired devotion to St. Jude when he directed St. Bridget of Sweden to turn to St. Jude with great faith and confidence. In accordance with his surname Thaddeus, (which means generous, courageous, kindness, sweetness and gentleness of character), Our Lord said, “He will show himself most willing to give help.”
St. Jude is traditionally depicted carrying the image of Jesus in his hand. This represents the imprint of the divine Countenance that was entrusted to him by Jesus. King Abagar of Edessa asked Jesus to cure him of leprosy and sent an artist to bring him a drawing of Jesus. Impressed with Abagar’s great faith, Our Lord pressed his face on a cloth and gave it to St. Jude to take to Abagar and cure him. The King was cured and converted to Christianity along with most of the people under his rule.
Additionally, St. Jude is often depicted with a flame above his head, which represents his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles.
He died a martyr of God. His last mortal remains now lie in the great basilica of St. Peter in Rome. Pope Paul III, in a brief dated September 22, 1543, granted a plenary indulgence to all who would visit his tomb on the day commemorating his death, October 28th, the day of his feast.
Why pray with St. Jude?
St. Jude’s promise to us is for comfort and hope whenever we turn to him. Devotion to St. Jude is not about superstition; our devotion is rooted in faith. When we pray to St. Jude, we trust that his intercession is for God’s will, whatever that may be. Our powerful patron hopes and prays for all good outcomes, and for the faith and comfort to face life’s challenges. Today, millions of people around the world turn to St. Jude, patron saint of seemingly impossible or difficult causes, when they feel most helpless and alone. St. Jude has proven to be a true friend and a beacon of hope to those who call on him.
St. Jude Thaddeus is invoked in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances, just as their forefathers had done before them. Therefore, he is the patron saint of desperate cases. (The epithet is also commonly rendered as “patron saint of lost causes”.)
About praying to Jesus through St. Jude
Occasionally, when we want mom to grant us a particular favor or let us go somewhere special, we go to dad first and ask him to ask mom for us. Sometimes it’s just better to get someone who is very close to the the one who could grant our wish to intercede for us. That’s how praying to and through a saint comes in. Since St. Jude is a special friend of Jesus, and he’s already a saint in heaven, why not ask him to pray to God on our behalf?
Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Make use I implore you, of that particular privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help 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 forever. I promise, O blessed St. 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
(To encourage devotion to St. Jude, distribute prayer cards and acknowledge in writing favors received.)
(Information about St. Jude and the St. Jude Prayer was obtained from the following: St. Jude Thaddeus/Catholic Online; The National Shrine of St. Jude/The Claretians)