Novena to St. Jude

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude Thaddaeus, friend of Jesus, pray for us.

O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need: to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return, I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. Amen.

O St. Jude, beloved Apostle, patron of hopeless and desperate cases, I come to you in my time of need. You are called the patron of the impossible, and thousands have found hope through your powerful intercession. I bring to you my petition (mention your intention in your heart). Though my situation may seem hopeless, I trust in the mercy of God and in your powerful intercession. Obtain for me renewed hope and the grace to persevere in prayer and in faith. St. Jude, patron of hopeless cases, pray for us. Amen.

O St. Jude, you walked with Christ during His earthly ministry. You heard His teaching, witnessed His miracles, and shared in His mission. What intimacy you enjoyed with the Son of God! Through your closeness to Christ, intercede for me before His throne. You know what it is to be a friend of Jesus; help me to cultivate that same friendship through prayer, the Sacraments, and faithfulness to the Gospel. St. Jude, friend of Jesus, pray for us. Amen.

O St. Jude, you gave your life for Christ. Tradition tells us that you were martyred for proclaiming the Gospel. What faith and courage were yours! You preferred death to denying the One you loved. Obtain for me a faith that is strong enough to withstand trials. Help me to stand firm in my convictions, to witness to my faith without shame, and if necessary to suffer for the name of Christ. St. Jude, courageous martyr, pray for us. Amen.

O St. Jude, you wrote an epistle urging the faithful to 'build themselves up in their most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.' You exhorted believers to persevere and to rescue those who were being led astray. Let your words inspire me to grow in faith each day. Help me to pray always in the Holy Spirit, to remain firm in the truth, and to help those around me who are struggling in their faith. St. Jude, teacher of the faith, pray for us. Amen.

O St. Jude, patron of those in desperate need, the Church has always turned to you in times of great trial. When all human means seem exhausted and hope is almost gone, your intercession has brought relief to countless souls. I am in need of your help. (Recall your intentions.) Come to my assistance with your powerful prayers. Obtain from God the help I need in this urgent situation. Strengthen my trust in divine Providence, and help me to accept God's will whatever it may be. St. Jude, helper in desperate cases, pray for us. Amen.

O St. Jude, some say you were little invoked because your name resembled that of Judas, the traitor. Yet God raised you up to be a great intercessor for those who feel forgotten, overlooked, or abandoned. Intercede for all who feel forsaken — those who suffer alone, those whom no one prays for, those who feel God has abandoned them. And pray for me in my own feeling of being forgotten or unheard. Remind me that God always hears the prayer of the humble. St. Jude, advocate of the forgotten, pray for us. Amen.

O St. Jude, you were faithful to Christ from your call to your martyrdom. When others abandoned Jesus, you remained. When the mission seemed impossible, you persevered. Your whole life was a testimony to the faithfulness that God's grace makes possible. Obtain for me the grace of fidelity — fidelity to God, to my vocation, to prayer, and to the duties of my daily life. When I am tempted to give up or to take the easy road, strengthen me with your example and your prayers. St. Jude, model of fidelity, pray for us. Amen.

O St. Jude, before I ask anything more, I pause to give thanks for all the blessings God has bestowed upon me through your intercession and through His own infinite goodness. Every grace I have received is a gift of divine love. Help me to cultivate a spirit of gratitude in all things. May I never take God's gifts for granted. May every blessing draw me closer to God and inspire me to use what I have received in His service and for the good of others. St. Jude, thank you for your prayers on my behalf. Amen.

O most glorious Apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, I have sought your intercession throughout this novena with confidence in your power and goodness. As I bring this novena to a close, I place my petitions once more in your hands. I promise, as I have said in my opening prayer, to honor your name and to encourage others to invoke you. May your name be glorified, and may all who seek your help experience the power of God's mercy. Pray for me, St. Jude, now and always. Amen.

Closing Prayer

May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the tabernacles until the end of time. Amen. May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen. St. Jude, pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen. Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Blessed be St. Jude Thaddaeus, in all the world and for all eternity. Amen.