The Church celebrates this Wednesday, October 28, the feast of the apostles Saint Simon and Saint Jude Thaddeus, two of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ whose lives are surrounded by numerous traditions. Among them, Saint Jude Thaddeus has become one of the most venerated saints in Latin America, where millions of faithful turn to his intercession, especially in difficult situations.
Although his devotion is widely spread, the data offered by the Gospels about this apostle are relatively scarce.
Jude Thaddeus appears in the lists of the Twelve and must be distinguished from Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.
The apostle who questioned Jesus during the Last Supper
One of the most significant episodes related to Saint Jude Thaddeus appears in the Gospel of Saint John.
During the Last Supper, the apostle asked the Lord why He would manifest Himself to His disciples and not to the world. Jesus’ response linked His manifestation to love and fidelity to His word.
Benedict XVI explained this passage in his catechesis of October 11, 2006, dedicated jointly to Saint Simon and Saint Jude Thaddeus.
The Pontiff recalled that the manifestation of Jesus Christ should not be understood solely as an external event, but as a presence linked to the disciple’s love and his communion with God.
A letter that exhorts to preserve the faith
The New Testament contains a brief epistle attributed to Jude, traditionally identified with the apostle.
In it, Christians are exhorted to remain steadfast in the faith received and to confront those who introduced doctrines and behaviors incompatible with apostolic teaching.
The letter contains a call to contend for the faith handed down to the saints and warns about the presence of false teachers in Christian communities.
Benedict XVI especially highlighted this aspect of the epistle, which recalls the responsibility of the faithful to preserve the doctrine received and remain united to Jesus Christ.
Saint Simon, the other apostle of this feast
The Church celebrates Saint Jude Thaddeus together with Saint Simon, called the Canaanite or the Zealot.
The Gospels mention him among the Twelve, although they offer little information about his later activity.
Christian tradition has linked both apostles with preaching in eastern regions and with martyrdom, although accounts of their travels and the specific circumstances of their death come from testimonies after the apostolic era.
Devotion to Saint Jude Thaddeus as an intercessor in difficult causes developed over the centuries and reached special diffusion in America.
His feast also preserves the memory of the mandate entrusted by Jesus Christ to the apostles: to proclaim the Gospel, teach the faith, and faithfully transmit it to future generations.