The Feast of Saints Simon and Jude

Apostles – (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 “Traddeus” 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.

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the people of Peru honor the “Lord of Miracles”—Señor de los Milagros de Nazarenas. This devotion centers on a 17^th century painting of the Crucifixion that is enshrined in Lima. The image was painted by an unnamed African slave who was taken from what is now Angola and depicts Christ hanging on the cross with God the Father and Holy Spirit above him and Mary and Mary Magdalene on his right and left. To learn more, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_Miracles

Quote

“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

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.