Today is the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude. Happy feast day! Who are Saints Simon and Jude? And why should we venerate them? Sean O’Neill, Editor of FAITH Magazine, the Diocese of Lansing’s official publication, now explains. Sean writes:
Saint Jude is generally regarded as being the son of Mary of Clopas, the sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary and one of the “three Marys” who stood by Jesus during His Crucifixion. That makes Saint Jude Christ’s first cousin. Jude is also one of the most venerated figures in Christian history.
According to tradition, Saint Jude suffered martyrdom by being cut in two by a saw about 65AD in Beirut in Lebanon together with the apostle Simon the Zealot, with whom he is usually connected. According to one account, Saint Jude's body was brought from Beirut to Rome and placed in a crypt in Saint Peter's Basilica where it is still venerated by many devotees.
In October last year, the relic of Saint Jude’s right arm was on tour across the State of Michigan, visiting Saint Patrick Parish in Brighton, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor, and Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing.
According to Father Carlos Martins, Director of the Treasures of the Church apostolate which organized the tour: “The apostle’s visit is an effort by the Catholic Church to give comfort and hope to all who need it. The visit provides an opportunity for individuals to experience intimacy with someone who dwells in heaven and beholds God face-to-face.”
Taking part in the tour by visiting one of these parishes was a remarkable experience for all who came to venerate the relic. It was very moving to think that many times that arm must have embraced the Lord Jesus himself! It was also inspiring to contemplate Saint Jude’s martyrdom and to marvel at his perseverance to remain faithful to the very end.
Saint Jude is often regarded as the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations and many have witnessed his miraculous intervention in their lives, especially when thing seem, on the face of it, to be completely hopeless.
Saints Simon & Jude, pray for us!