(First Century)
Their story
+Simon, called “the Canaanite” and the “zealous” in the gospels, is traditionally thought to have been a fisherman.
+ It is generally accepted that he was a member of the Zealot party, a Jewish sect that was responsible for the revolt against the Romans that resulted in the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 72.
+ According to tradition, Simon preached the Gospel in Egypt.
+ The apostle Jude, now honored as the patron saint of impossible cases, is normally identified with the “Thaddeus” mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew (14:22) and Mark (3:18).
+ Traditionally honored as the author of the New Testament epistle that bears his name, he is remembered for having asked Jesus why he would not reveal himself to the whole world, to which Jesus replied that he and the Father would visit all those who remained with him (John 14:22-23).
+ Ancient tradition relates that Jude proclaimed the Gospel in Egypt and Mauritania and that he was martyred with Saint Simon in Persia.
+ The supposed relics of Saints Simon and Jude are enshrined in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
+ Saint Jude Thaddeus is honored as the patron saint of impossible cases.
For prayer and reflection
“Beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”—Jude 20-21
Vocations
The Dominican Nuns of the Monastery of St. Jude (Marbury, Alabama): https://www.marburydominicannuns.org/
Prayer
O God, who by the blessed Apostles
have brought us to acknowledge your name,
graciously grant,
through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude,
that the Church may constantly grow
by increase of the peoples who believe in you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...