Top image source: Statue of St. Jude, photo by Dclemens1971, [Wikimedia Commons], CC BY-SA 4.0. Background removed.
St. Jude Thaddeus, apostle and patron saint of lost causes, is the saint the Church turns to when every other hope seems gone. The prayer below is the traditional prayer to St. Jude, prayed for centuries by the faithful in their most desperate moments.
The Traditional Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.
Intercede with God for me that He 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:
(Make your request here)
and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.
Amen.
Close with one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.
Prayer to St. Jude for Hope
Oh Glorious St. Jude, apostle of Christ and friend of the forgotten, you know what it is to be passed over and forgotten. Look upon me now in my discouragement. My heart is sorrowful and discouraged. Please obtain for me from Our Lord the gift of hope, that I may trust in His goodness even when I cannot see the way forward. Grant me the grace to wait on God with patience, and to believe that no situation is beyond His providence and mercy. St. Jude, patron of hope, pray for me. Amen.
Prayer to St. Jude for Healing
St. Jude, faithful apostle of Jesus Christ, who by His power healed the sick and brought light to those in darkness, I come to you on behalf of (name), who is suffering in body. Please ask Our Lord, the Divine Physician, to restore health and strength if it be His holy will, and to grant patience and courage in this time of trial. Where healing of the body is not granted, obtain for us healing of the soul, and the grace to unite our suffering to the Cross of Christ. St. Jude, helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Amen.
Prayer to St. Jude in Financial Difficulty
Blessed St. Jude, you left everything to follow Christ and trusted God to provide. I come to you burdened by anxiety over money, work, and the needs of my family. Please intercede for me that God may open a way where I see none. Keep me from despair and from any temptation to act against my conscience. Help me to trust that my heavenly Father knows what I need before I ask Him. St. Jude, patron of desperate cases, pray for me. Amen.
Prayer to St. Jude for a Loved One
St. Jude, apostle and martyr, I entrust to you (name), the one I love, and for whom I seek your special intercession. Please bring (him/her) before Our Lord and ask Him to grant (state your intention). Where there is sickness, bring health; where there is estrangement, bring reconciliation; where there is sin, bring contrition; where there is fear, bring courage and peace. I place this person in your hands, confident that you will not forget those the world has forgotten. St. Jude, pray for us. Amen.
Short Prayer to St. Jude
St. Jude, apostle of hope and helper in hopeless causes, pray for me.
This short invocation can be repeated throughout the day, especially in moments of anxiety or when a difficult situation comes to mind.
How to Pray to St. Jude
There is no single required way to pray to St. Jude. The faithful commonly do the following:
- Bring a specific need. St. Jude is the patron of difficult and desperate cases. Name your intention clearly rather than praying in general terms.
- Pray the traditional prayer daily. Many people pray it once a day until their need is answered, closing with an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
- Pray a novena. For nine consecutive days, especially October 19 through 27 before his feast, pray the St. Jude Novena.
- Perform an act of kindness in his honor. Charity strengthens prayer.
- Promise to give thanks. When your prayer is answered, share your gratitude and encourage devotion to St. Jude.
When to Pray to St. Jude
Pray to St. Jude at any time, but especially:
- On his feast day, October 28, shared with St. Simon, who was martyred alongside him in Persia.
- During the novena, October 19 through 27, the nine days leading up to the feast.
- When a situation feels hopeless: a grave illness, a broken relationship, unemployment, addiction, a wayward child, or any need that seems beyond human help.
Who Is St. Jude?
St. Jude Thaddeus was one of the twelve apostles and, by tradition, a cousin of Our Lord through Mary of Cleophas. He preached the Gospel in Mesopotamia and Persia alongside St. Simon and was martyred there, which is why he is often shown holding a club. He is not the same person as Judas Iscariot. Because their names were so similar, the faithful neglected St. Jude for centuries, and those who finally invoked him were often the desperate. Their answered prayers made him the patron saint of lost causes. To learn more about his life, miracles, and why he is honored as the patron of hopeless causes, read our full article on St. Jude, Patron Saint of Lost Causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most powerful prayer to St. Jude?
The traditional prayer at the top of this page, beginning “Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,” is the prayer most widely used by the faithful and prayed at shrines to St. Jude throughout the world. Its power lies not in the words themselves but in St. Jude’s intercession and God’s mercy.
Can I pray to St. Jude for any intention?
Yes. St. Jude is especially invoked for hopeless or desperate cases, but any sincere need may be brought to him.
How long should I pray to St. Jude?
Many people pray daily until their need is answered, or complete a nine-day novena. There is no set length. Persevere in prayer and trust in God’s timing.
Do I have to publish my thanks when St. Jude answers a prayer?
The traditional prayer includes a promise to “gratefully encourage devotion” to St. Jude. This is not a requirement of the Church, but it is a beautiful custom. You can keep it by sharing your story, telling a friend about St. Jude, or praying the prayer of thanksgiving.
