Our Patron
The Life of Saint Jude
Saint Jude was one of the Apostles, usually clearly identified to distinguish him from the traitor Judas Iscariot. He is referred as “Judas, the son of James” (Luke 6:16) and as “Judas, not the Iscariot” (John 14:22). He is not mentioned by that name in Mark or Matthew, but many scholars argue that he is the same person as Thaddeus (Mark 3:18 and Matthew 10:3). As a result, some refer to him as Saint Jude Thaddeus. One ancient tradition holds that Jude was the son of Mary of Clopas (mentioned in John 19:25 as present at the Crucifixion), making him one of Jesus’ cousins.
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Like most of the other Apostles, Jude is not mentioned outside of the Gospel accounts. The Early Church believed that the Apostle Jude was the author of the Epistle of Jude in the New Testament, but this is not the opinion of most modern scholars. In the Epistle, the writer refers to the age of the Apostles as if it were in the past, not likely if the writer were an Apostle himself! Another argument against apostolic authorship is the more polished nature of the writing in the letter. Christ chose mostly simple folk to serve as Apostles; they might have spoken some Greek, but not a more educated, polished version of it.
Catholic tradition holds that Jude first went to Armenia to preach and teach with Saint Bartholomew, then departed with his fellow Apostle Simon (not Peter!) to Mesopotamia and Persia, where they were both martyred on the same day. Jude is traditionally depicted with a club, which was most likely the instrument used to kill him. The Armenian Apostolic Church honors Jude as one of its founders.
Saint Jude is widely venerated as the patron Saint of desperate or hopeless cases. This is believed to have developed because many confused him with Judas Iscariot. People did not ask for his intercession because they did not want to ask for help from the betrayer of Christ! This made the true Saint Jude especially eager to intercede on behalf of his fellow Christians, even in the most hopeless cases. Thus, he became the patron Saint of lost causes and desperate situations.
Saint Jude was martyred around the year AD 65, and his Feast Day is celebrated on October 28th.
Why Saint Jude?
Many students come to Cassata having had unfortunate experiences in their education previously. Sometimes they struggled at a school that couldn't meet their needs or just wasn't a good fit. Sometimes they had learning differences that went unidentified for years. Sometimes they faced challenges in their personal lives that interfered with their academic success.
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Cassata has always been a place where any student—regardless of the difficulties they've faced in the past—can find a nurturing school environment where everyone is passionately devoted to helping them grow in knowledge and virtue and find success in school and beyond. Saint Jude, patron of desperate cases, is the perfect Saint for our special school community.
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While Cassata students also benefit from the patronage of the Saintly exemplar of their House, Saint Jude is the special patron of Cassata and all our students and teachers.
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Saint Jude, pray for us.
Prayer to Saint Jude
MOST Holy Apostle, Saint Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of.
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Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Make use I implore you, of that particular privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of.
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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 elect forever.
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I promise, O blessed Saint Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.