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Saint Jude Novena

St. Jude Symbols: Flame, Medallion, Green Robe and Club

Walk into almost any parish church and you may find him: a bearded man in a green robe, a small flame above his head and an image of Christ's face resting on his chest. Every one of those details tells part of his story.

The flame above his head

The small tongue of fire recalls Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles "as it were of fire" (Acts 2:3). Saint Jude was in the upper room that day. The flame reminds us that the same Spirit who filled him is the One who strengthens us when we are weak.

The image of Christ's face

Saint Jude is usually shown with a medallion or cloth bearing the face of our Lord. It points to an ancient story about King Abgar of Edessa, a city in what is now southeastern Turkey. The king was gravely ill and sent word to Jesus, asking Him to come and heal him. The story, an early form of which is recorded by the historian Eusebius, says that a disciple named Thaddeus was sent to Edessa after the Ascension, healed the king and brought the city to the faith. Later tradition adds that he carried an image of Christ's face, and the Western Church has long connected this Thaddeus with Saint Jude. However you weigh the details, the image says something true: Saint Jude carries Christ to the people he meets.

The green robe

Green is the color of hope and new life, the color of spring and of growing things. It suits the apostle people turn to when hope is nearly gone.

The club or axe

These recall his martyrdom. Tradition says he was killed for the faith, most often with a club, an axe or a halberd. Saints are often shown with the instrument of their death, not to dwell on the violence but to honor their faithfulness to the end.

The staff

Some images show him holding a tall staff, the sign of a traveler and a preacher. Tradition says he walked a very long way to bring the Gospel to people who had never heard it.

Often shown with Saint Simon

Because tradition says they preached and died together, Saint Jude is often pictured with Saint Simon the Zealot, who usually holds a saw. The two share a feast day on October 28.

Holy cards and statues

Many people keep a holy card or small statue of Saint Jude at home, at work or in the car. A holy image is not a lucky charm. It is a reminder, like a photograph of someone we love, that turns our hearts toward God and toward the friends He has given us in heaven.

Back to Who Is Saint Jude? · Begin the novena

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