Saint Jude Thaddeaus His Life and Works

SAINT JUDE THADDEUS: HIS
LIFE AND HIS WORK

INTRODUCTION

One
of the spiritual wonders of today is the increasing surge of devotion to St.
Jude Thaddeus. Even more marvelous are the miraculous results of his
intercession with God for his friends on earth. He listens patientiy to trivial
requests and he heeds heart- rending cries of desperation. His clients have
discovered that he is especially effective in solving difficult problems. They
feel that God has appointed him as a specialist in hopeless cases. The favors
he obtains from God are an avalanche of graces poured into the valley of
troubled lives. Often he amazes his urgent clients by his speedy and effectual
help.

The
strange thing is that we know more about his interests and his activities than
we do about the saint himself. We have a natu.ral curiosity about this generous
helper, but precise history has drawn only a miniature picture of him. We turn
to the Scriptures and to divine tradition, official sources, but they do not
sufficiently enlarge the picture to satisfy our understandable inquisitiveness.
So we go to ancient records and early writings. They enrich the background and
vivify the canvas, thereby giving us a satisfactory perspective of Jude's
colorful life and courageous career.

This
little work of love is intended to bring St. Jude more actively into the
pattern of our lives; to help us to know him more intimately and hopefully. It
is a prayerful effort to increase confidence and devotion to him among us, his
present friends, and to introduce him proudly to strangers. For old and new
friends alike, may this personal acquaintance with St. Jude increase admiration
and strengthen confidence in him during our difficult and troubled days on the
road that winds uphill all the way to heaven.

CHAPTER
ONE

A
Letter to Christ

THE
torrid morning sun foretold another hot, humid day. There was no breeze on the
palace porch except the stir caused by the huge fan as a sweltering bronzed
slave waved it over King Abgar's leprous body. The king, dressed in loose white
clothing, was reclining on a long, couchlike chair. He was in evident physical
distress and his restlessness indicated an inner impatience. "Why isn't
the captain here?" he asked petulandy. "What keeps him?"
"Any moment now, Your Highness," the soft-spoken secretary replied.
"He probably has stopped to change into uniform^-to make a proper
appearance before Your Majesty."

Suddenly
activity was heard in the courtyard. The king, aware of it, became quiet but
tense as he waited. Soon the captain and his attendants were announced and they
stood at attention before Abgar, who acknowledged their presence. Impetuously
waiving the formalities, he signaled his desire to be alone with the captain.
The soldiers and the court attendants quietly withdrew, all except the
secretary, Hannan, and the slave with the fan.

"Well,
Captain Cumra," asked the king, "did you see the Jewish Healer? Did
He accept my invitation? Have you brought Him with you?"

The
Report

The
captain replied quickly to ward off the king's impatience: "Yes, and no,
Your Highness. I did see Him and one of His followers whom He called Jude. They
were most considerate, but the Wonder Worker cannot come."

Seeing
the sharp disappointment in the king's face, he hastily added: "But He was
most courteous. He accepted your letter, and I 6 ST. JUDE THADDEUS . bring you
an encouraging message from Him, and this pledge." The captain carefully
unrolled a fine linen cloth and showed it to the king. "See, Your
Highness, it bears the imprint of His face, a likeness of Him they call the
Christ." The king looked long and intendy at the picture and his tired
voice showed his dejection. He adjusted his pain-weary body to a more
comfortable position as he asked:

"Why
did He send this picture? Who is this Jude? Start at the beginning and tell me
all. Why didn't He come? Did this Christ take offense that I, a foreigner, sent
one of my soldiers to petition Him to come and to heal me? Did you explain why
I cannot go to His country? The state of my health? The political complications?
Did He understand? Please sit down and tell me all. Hannan, order refreshments
for the captain. See that his men are cared for in the courtyard." So the
captain started at the beginning. Before we follow his recital, perhaps a litde
background is needed, so that we may understand more clearly the situation of
the sick king and his military ambassador.

The Background

King
Abgar ruled over his litde kingdom in Mesopotamia from his capital city of
Edessa. The territory was sparsely setded and the inhabitants widely scattered,
Edessa being the only town of considerable size. It has, incidentally, had a
checkered existence since the time of King Abgar, for it has gone through
successive dynasties — the Greeks, Syrians, Parthians, Romans, and Turks having
taken turns in ruling the territory, which has successively passed under pagan,
Christian, and Mohammedan influence.

Today
the ancient Edessa is called Urfa. It is a city of about  40,000 inhabitants, mostly Kurds, Turks, and
Armenians. Urfa is located on a branch of the Euphrates River, just over the
boundaries of Syria and Lebanon, in southeast Turkey. It lies about 400 miles
northeast of the Sea of Galilee and the town of Caphernaum, and it is almost
due north from Damascus in Syria.

A
LETTER TO CHRIST . 7

King
Abgar had contracted leprosy, or at least a malignant skin disease then so
prevalent in warm countries. He had heard the stories of the wonderful Healer
in Palestine and the reports of the instant cures of lepers by a simple touch
of His hand. Greatly impressed by these travelers' stories, he saw a remedy for
his own affliction if he could induce Christ to come to him. He himself could
not go to a country controlled by the Romans without involving state
difficulties. So he entrusted the mission to his reliable Captain Cumra, who,
without an entourage, could enter Palestine incognito.

The Letter

Before
sending the captain, King Abgar dictated a letter which Cumra was to carry with
him. The king followed the letter writing custom of the day and began the
letter with an introduction of himself: "Abgar Ouchama, King, to Jesus,
the Good Physician, who has appeared in the country of Jerusalem, greeting."
He continued by praising Christ for the cures He had wrought. He said he had
concluded that Jesus was either God Himself, who had come down from heaven, or
the Son of God, "who does these things." Abgar then implored Christ
to come to him and to cure his illness, which had been of long  duration. He wrote that he had heard that the
Jews were murmuring against Jesus and plotting against His life. He concluded
with this invitation: "Come, therefore, to me, for although my city is
small, it is honorable and it will suffice for both of us."

CHAPTER TWO

The Captain's Story

WITH
the captain now comfortably seated and refreshed, let us pick up his story. He
starts with his arrival m Palestine, wasting no words on the trip itself or any
of the inconveniences. "I sought Him first about the Sea of Galilee,"
he began in an easy manner, "for I learned He had His headquarters at a
town

called
Capharnaum, but I was told that He was on His way to Jerusalem and that He
would probably pass through Jericho. I followed His route, which was easy, for
all the people along the way were talking about His cures. I came to a little
village where there was great excitement, for He had cured ten lepers there a
few days before. I thought of you, my King, when I heard that, and I hurried
on." The captain paused and the king nodded for him to continue.

He
resumed. "I finally found His temporary lodgings in a town they call
Ephraim, near the wilderness. I was told that He had retired with His followers
and was spending the time in seclusion, before going down to Jerusalem. Placing
myself outside His quarters, I awaited an opportunity to talk to Him or one of
His men. I felt I was now so near to delivering your message, my King, that I
was not to be denied."

Again
the captain paused and the king indicated the refreshments. After Cumra set
down his glass, the king asked: "And then what?"

"And
then, Your Majesty, He walked out with one of His men whose name I learned
later was Jude. They were in deep conversation but I modestly placed myself in
their path and they observed me. I respectfully saluted the Miracle Worker and
humbly stated my mission, that I was a legate from a foreign king."

THE
CAPTAIN'S STORY 9

The
captain's face lighted up as he reached the high point of his adventure:
"Oh, King, if you could have seen His face! So kind, so tender, so
compassionate! He and His companion stopped. He seated Himself by the roadside
and made a gesture for Jude to read your letter aloud. He looked at me with
those expressive eyes and slowly, as though reluctandy, He gave His reply.
"I remember every word — they are engraved in my memory. He called me by
name and He said: " 'Tell your king> blessed art thou who hast not seen
Me but hast believed in Me. As for My coming to him, tell him I must accomplish
the things appointed unto Me, those things for which I was sent, and the hour
is now at hand when they must be done. But after I have been taken up into
heaven I will send one bf My disciples to your king and he will cure him.'

"Then,
my King, He looked knowingly at His companion, Jude, as though to convey an
unspoken message to him. Perhaps he is the one to come."

The
Picture of Christ

The
captain paused and the king pondered this message from Christ. His hand touched
the linen cloth at his couch: "And this cloth?" he inquired.

"Oh,"
replied the captain; "for the minute I had forgotten, so absorbed was I in
delivering His reply. You know, my King, of my sketching ability and of the
portraits I have done. When He told me He could not come, I courteously asked
permission to sketch His face so that I might bring the sketch back to you as a

souvenir,
a token from one King to another."

Cumra
was almost overcome as he continued: "His face lit up with a strange
heavenly smile— an ethereal, effulgent look. Oh, King, my hand was paralyzed,
and my eyes were dazzled by that shining countenance! I could not draw a line
or lift a brush, yet the picture is imprinted indelibly upon my mind. When He
saw my frustration, He gently took this kerio  ST. JUDE THADDEUS chief from me and pressed it
to His face. There you have His likeness, but yet not like Him, for it can
never shine in that cloth as it did when I saw Him face to face. 1 '

"Then,"
the captain concluded, "they left me and I hurried back to report to you.
I have the strongest feeling that you will not have to suffer much longer. I
feel, from what He said, that His work on this earth is nearly done and that He
will soon return to His Father. Then we can expect His messenger, Jude, to come
to you."

He
looked at the king and quickly added: "But I fear I have exhausted you
with this long story. Forgive

my
thoughdessness, Your Majesty." The king looked kindly at Cumra and
answered: "Not at all, my Captain. You have done a fine job and I am proud
of you. I am better already; at least my hopes are soaring. I feel that this
Jude will come, and soon. My thanks, Captain."

The
king and the captain remained speechless in awed reverence, each with his own
thoughts. Hannan, the secretary, quiedy withdrew with his notes. The fan had
become motionless in the hands of the absorbed slave. The soldiers were
strangely silent in the courtyard. It was as though all were in suspended
animation awaiting some stupendous visitation.

Meanwhile,
as Christ had predicted, "His hour had come." He was traveling the
road to Jerusalem to be crucified. And Jude did not know that he was the
subject of a conversation in far-off Edessa. The king was not alone in his
intense desire for help. Many people today are eagerly asking the same question
he asked: "Who is this Jude?"

We
shall have to start at the beginning in order to answer it satisfactorily.

CHAPTER
THREE

Home
in Galilee

A
TINY valley village of Galilee was the birthplace of Jude Thaddeus. Above the
little settlement rose the sloping hills with their umbrellas of green foliage,
fig and olive trees. On the hillsides lay soft blankets of grass for the sheep.
On the sunny side of the hills, heavy clusters of grapes hung in the vineyards.
After the warm spring rains, a silvery stream trickled through the fields of
wheat and barley which embroidered the small hamlet. There a stone house
sheltered the newly arrived babe who nesded in his mother's arms. On a peaceful
sunny day, baby Jude woke to the morning of his earthly life. His loving
mother, Mary, and his joyful father, Cleophas (sometimes called Alpheus), could
not have dreamed that this newborn infant and his older brother James were destined
for tremendous roles in the establishment of Christ's Church on earth — that
both were to be numbered among the twelve apostles.

Nor did
the parents realize how prophetic was the name they gave him, Jude Thaddeus;
Jude, "giver of joy"; Thaddeus, "the greathearted one."
Neither father nor mother could dream that their newborn son was to live
intimately in Christ's presence, to share in His work, and to carry His message
of love to distant and unknown lands. If his parents could have foreseen the
difficulties and confusion that would arise regarding their son's name,Jude,
they possibly would have selected another. It would have greatiy simplified
matters for all of us.

The
Two Judes The complexity arose because there were two Judes among the twelve
apostles: Jude Thaddeus, this couple's son; and Judas, the betrayer of Christ.
When St. Matthew and St. Mark wrote their Gospels, they attempted to avoid
confusion between the two men by listing them apart They called our St. Jude
only by the name of Thaddeus. When they listed the twelve apostles, they placed

the
traitor last and classified him as: "J u d as Iscariot, who betrayed
Him." Also, in the biblical list of the apostles, in the Canon of the
Mass, and in the Litany of the Saints our St. Jude is prayed to only by the
name of Thaddeus. This has helped to make him the "forgotten" saint.
Later, when The Acts of the Apostles was written by St. Luke (i, 13), after the
infamous Judas had passed from the sight of the living, his name was dropped
from the list of the aposdes, and that of Matthias, his successor, was added.

Then
St. Jude Thaddeus was called by his first name, Jude, but for a long time he
remained a "forgotten Jude."

As
the name of the traitor Judas fades and the confusion about the two
personalities clears up, the name of our St. Jude is becoming increasingly
popular, especially in our own country. More lovers of St. Jude, and many of
his grateful clients, are expressing their thanks by bestowing his name upon
their sons and daughters: "Jude" and "Judith." Even
Thaddeus, shortened popularly to "Thad" is found more frequendy among
boys' given names these- days. It has long been popular in Ireland where in the
old

Gaelic
it is "Taidg."

Boyhood

Jude
Thaddeus was to learn about his blood relatives, for the Jews were proud of
their family trees, and kept accurate records of their genealogies. Jude knew,
for instance, that Christ and he were first cousins, for his mother and Mary,
the Mother of Jesus, were blood sisters.

Gathered
around the fireplace in the evening, before the night prayers were said, Jude
and his brother James would listen in rapt attention as their mother would tell
them about their cousin, Jesus, who had been born in Bethlehem, and who had to
flee with Mary and Joseph into Egypt because King Herod had

sought
to kill the child. Then she would tell them of Nazareth; how Jesus was growing;
about the journey she and their father

HOME IN GALILEE 13

had
made to Nazareth before James and Jude were big enough to travel. She told them
that  some  day the whole family would travel to Nazareth
again, when the boys were grown older. Jude would go to bed with his imagination
ablaze with pictures of his wonderful cousin. He would fall asleep to dream of
the time when he would be big enough to make that trip, of the time when he and
his cousin would see each other face to face. Visit to Nazareth In time, the
long desired day arrived when the family was to

travel
to Nazareth to visit their close relatives. It was a day of feverish excitement
for the boys, who had never ventured so far from their familiar hills;
moreover, they were to meet for the first time the cousin of whom they had
heard so much. Jude was about nine or ten years old; old enough to travel with
his parents. James, of course, was more mature and quite capable of caring for
himself.

The
visit occurred after the Holy Family had returned from Jerusalem where the
Child Jesus, then twelve years old, had been found in the Temple on the third
day. Word had trickled through to Jude's parents of the eventful trip of the
Holy Family to Jerusalem; this visit of theirs was by way of a reunion for the

two
mothers who had not seen each other for some years. The journey was made
without mishap and the reunion proved a joyous affair.

What
emotions must have filled Jude when he saw his cousin, Jesus, for the first
time! Like all country children, Jude was bashful in the presence of the older
and more urbane cousin. Mary, his aunt, came to his rescue with an engaging
smile and a few hospitable words: This was Jude's "other" home, and
he should accept it as such. Jesus, with His gracious manner, shaped the conversation
into the channels of interest to the younger boy. Soon Jude lost his
self-consciousness, relaxed, and talked freely to Jesus.

It
would have been wonderful could that conversation have been recorded for us!

i 4 ST. JUDE THADDEUS

Once
back home again, Jude was starry eyed at all he had seen, and he carried with
him a most vivid impression of Jesus. It was something like the adoration of a
young boy of today for his baseball or football hero. Jude wished to be like
Christ. Christ was his model, his hero. The impressionable young Jude had a new
concept of life; his horizon had been broadened; his world had grown larger.
Now, he had a direct motivation in life. Henceforth, he would apply himself
more vigorously to his studies and his religious training.

CHAPTER FOUR

Young Manhood

DURING
these growing years Jude had been home-taught, for the most part, by his
parents. Now he applied himself more intently. He had already mastered reading
and writing; but books were scarce, handwritten, tediously produced, and cosdy.
They were the most valued treasures in his humble home. He had learned some
Jewish hiatory from books, but most of his knowledge of his people was gained
by conversation in the home and with his elders. Jude faithfully attended the
synagogue, where he was taught the formal religious observances. He was quite
familiar with the Old Testament, and had committed much of it to memory. He was
gifted with a retentive mind and quick comprehension. He

knew,
for instance, of the promised Savior, as prophesied in the eleventh chapter of
Isaias. He was unconsciously building for a future still hidden by the veil of
time. These were the growing years, and they passed quickly and uneventfully,
save for that never-to-be-forgotten trip tor Nazareth and the meeting with
Jesus. Jude was approaching the most important years of his development.

Social Life

The
closely knit tribal circle necessarily limited social life to few active
outside interests. Marriages were contracted between families of the village,
and at an early age. Hence it was that Jude was espoused early to a girl by the
name of Mary. They made their home in the small town and lived their short
married life in close companionship with their respective families. Their home,
a rented two-story stone building, was shared with another couple.

i6 ST. JUDE THADDEUS

Hard Work

Jude
now worked for himself and his wife. He became a tenant farmer, but the work
was hard and the hours long. The crops were not always abundant. There were
lean years for the young couple. There were other worries, too. The Jewish
nation — as the rest of the then known world — had fallen prey to the Roman
Eagle and the domination of the Imperial Caesars. Throughout the land there was
agitation and resentment over the Roman soldiers who policed the land and
imposed the taxes. The Jews were

looking
for a political leader who would lift the burdens of the Roman occupation.

Heavy Taxes

Jude,
like all poor farmers, was loaded with an impossible burden of expenses. Nearly
half of his income went for taxes. The Romans exacted a heavy assessment of
one-fourth of his earnings. The Jewish tithes took almost another fourth. Then
out of the half that remained, there was rent for his home, as well

as
other fixed expenses. So small an amount was left over for Jude and his young
wife that their lot was a hard one, with little prospect of bettering
themselves.

Little
Information

This
is the only record we have of Jude's married life. Early historians make no
further mention of his wife, Mary. They give us not the slightest hint as to
her abode or career, and tradition is equally silent. Certainly, we can be
confident that God made provision for her participation in His work of
redemption. However, we must leave her with the many holy women of those early
days of Christianity whose names are written only in the golden book of heaven
— the "names of those who love the Lord." God's Plan?

In
God's eternal plan, this period of Jude's life may have been so designed, in
order that Jude's personal experiences might cover the same hardships, the same
economic difficulties that

YOUNG MANHOOD 17

thousands
of married people encounter today, and so that we might realize more vividly
St. Jude's sympathetic understanding of them. May we, therefore, be hopeful
that this knowledge urges, him to perform his wonders in our desperate cases of
this type today ? This could be God's plan in, so to speak, saving St. Jude's
intense activity in desperate and hopeless cases for our own troubled and
complex times.

CHAPTER FIVE

Early
Preparation

JUDE
had grown up. He was now a man with responsibilities. In the evenings, while
the youngsters shouted merrily at play, Jude could be found sitting
respectfully with the elders of the town and listening attentively to their
discussions of current happenings, such as the increasing number of Roman
officials

and
Greek merchants traveling through their land and the pagan customs they were
introducing. The patriarchs would talk about the momentous events foretold by
their prophets: how the time was near at hand when the expected Savior was to
come, how He would liberate their nation from the tyranny of pagan Rome. Jude
was becoming an idealist, a crusader. He was by nature and by training deeply
religious. He was intensely nationalistic and he had a great compassion for his
fellow citizens.

Talks with Christ

Jude
became  impatient for physical
opportunity to translate his ideals into action. By now, both he and James had
been to Nazareth for several eventful visits with their cousin, Jesus. They had
been inspired by His conversations and His philosophy of life. His words, as a
boy when He was found in the Temple, "I must be about my Father's
business," long a family saying, were taking on a new and significant
meaning. Christ's "time had not yet come" to declare Himself
publicly, but He was already laying the foundation on which He would build His
public life. Silently testing His future co-workers in the great structure of
redemption, He was gradually gathering them around Him. He did not reveal
Himself fully to His cousins, but Jude and James were unconsciously undergoing
a schooling, a preparation for their future work, the new life about to start.

EARLY PREPARATION 19

The
Cana Wedding

When
Jude was about 28 years old, tall, vigorous, and a little ' younger than his
cousin, Jesus, the hour came when Christ was to begin His public life. The
immediate occasion for the turning point was a family wedding feast in Cana of
Galilee. Cana was a little town about six miles northeast of Nazareth. Today,
it is a village of about 1,000 people and is named  Kenna. This wedding was evidently a large
gathering. Christ was there with His mother and His disciples. St. John does
not designate by name the disciples who were present, but since it was a family
affair, we can place Jude among the relatives and disciples.

There
he saw, to his amazement, the first public miracle performed by Christ.

Mary,
the mother of Jesus, had noted that there were apparently more guests than had
been anticipated and that the refreshments provided were insufficient. She
tactfully called this situation to Christ's attention: "They have no wine.
,, Jude heard her quiet remark and Christ's gentle reply: "What would you
have Me do? My hour has not yet come." Jude wondered when he heard Mary
say to the attendants, "Do whatever He tells you." Still puzzled, the
disciple went outside to talk with some of the

male
guests gathered around the well.

The First Miracle

Jude
and the other men in the group were interrupted in their talk by the approach
of attendants carrying stone jugs. It seemed a strange time to draw water and
so much of it. The men were even more inquisitive when the servants said that
Jesus had ordered them to fill the jugs and to bring them into the house, Jude
followed the servants inside, with the other curious guests, to see what was
transpiring. The attendants offered the jugs for Christ's inspection. He nodded
His head in approval and said to them, "Draw out now, and take to the chief
steward." Jude stood speechless and spellbound as he saw wine pouring from
the vessels. He looked at Christ and saw the compassion for the newly wedded
couple in His face; be could feel the beam of sympathy that radiated from
Christ's tender heart. To save the young

couple
from embarrassment, Christ, at Mary's implied wish, had performed His first
public miracle before Jude's very eyes. Jude was strangely and powerfully moved
by Christ's compassion, His consideration, His immediate action.

Did
Jude visualize his own future activity in such situations? Did he fervently
long for the intercessory power that Mary had? Did he wish with all the fire of
his soul to be able to implore Christ's performance of miracles among married
couples down through the centuries, even to our own times? Whatever his
thoughts, Jude instantly made his final decision. He himself had seen this
miracle. He was now positive of what he had long surmised — that Christ was the
expected Savior of his people. Jude's path was clearly marked. Henceforth he
would follow Christ in His travels through Palestine; he would listen breathlessly
to the doctrine of love that the Master was to announce. All that remained was
to return to his own village, to set his worldly affairs in order, and to be
ready for the public call when the time came.

He
knew it would be only a few months' waiting, for now the word of the miracle
would spread. All of Galilee would be aroused and would ask: "Is this the
Savior foretold by the prophets?" He waited eagerly for the invitation to
"Come, follow Me." His soul was aglow with his fervor to participate
in the great work of Christ, to himself become more Christlike in his deep
sympathy for his Jewish people. He was like a well-trained athlete ready for the
test of his skill and stamina. But much more training was needed before he
could successfully enter the contest.

CHAPTER SIX

Jude with Christ

AFTER
the wedding feast in Cana, Christ journeyed to Capharnaum, along the shore of
the Sea of Galilee. Capharnaum was to become His "own city" during
His public life, but on this trip He stayed there but a few days. Meanwhile, He
had selected several of His disciples, and they accompanied Him to Jerusalem
for the Passover, a great feast of the Jews. But Jude was not with them. His
public call to follow Christ would come later.

There,
at the Temple, Christ drove out the Roman bankers and the Greek merchants. They
had made a market place of the sacred precincts, by their traffic in doves and
other sacrificial animals and by their changing of Roman and Greek coins into
the sacred (Tyrian) money required for the payment of the annual Temple tax.

Christ's
drastic action caused much excitement in Jerusalem. It was in effect an
announcement of His active ministry, for He told them, "Destroy this
temple and in three days I will rebuild it." He was, of course, referring
to the temple of His body, but the Jews, in their materialistic view, believed
He was talking about the building, the Temple, which had taken forty-six years to
construct and which was not yet entirely finished. Christ's public work had
commenced, and Jude was soon to join His little band of followers. Jude Is
Active

Meanwhile,
Jude was feverishly preparing. He had talked to the elders of the town. Long
discussions were held about what ude had heard and seen in Cana. The Passover
of that year was finished in Jerusalem, and Roman soldiers and Greek merchants
who had been there brought news of the excitement in the city, of Christ's
appearance in the Temple, and of His extraordinary activity. The merchants were
bitter at being deprived of their lucrative business, but they recognized
authority in the Master who had whipped them out of the Temple. On the way
through Samaria they had heard vaguely of Christ's stop at the well of Jacob,
where He had talked to the Samaritan woman and declared to her that He was the
Messias. They said He was now on His way to Capharnaum and that He probably
would stop to preach in the synagogues as He traveled on foot through Galilee.

Village Curiosity

The
interest in this story was heightened and the curiosity of the elders
increased. Was He the Messias?

The
miracles, the action at the Temple, the revelation to the Samaritan woman — all
these things pointed to the arrival of the Messias. But His words and acts
indicated that Jesus was a spiritual leader, not a political liberator. The
people of Israel were yearning for a warrior king who would liberate them from
their bondage to the Romans; they wanted a new Moses who would lead them out of
the servitude imposed by the Caesars. What the Jews expected of the Savior was
that He would again restore the kingdom to Israel. They wanted a king to march
at their head and lead them in war.

They
asked Jude whether this kinsman of his, this man the Romans and Greeks spoke
of, was the long expected emancipator. Would Jude join Him now that He was
near? Yes, Jude would join Him and at once, but he could not convince the
elders that Christ was the Anointed of the Lord. They could not, or would not,
visualize this leader as the Son of God. However, Jude could wait no longer.
Everything was in readiness.

The New Teacher

It
was at Capharnaum that Jude joined Christ and the other apostles whom He had
already selected. Christ was busily engaged in preaching in the synagogue, and
Jude listened attentively as He spoke to the people. Jude was profoundly
impressed by Christ's simple language, His apt illustrations, and His forceful
examples taken from the everyday experiences of the people, Jude noted at once
that here was a new teacher and a new message: a teacher speaking with
authority; a new doctrine of love, Jude saw, however, that, while on the
surface all seemed calm, a violent storm was raging in the hearts of the
Pharisees. Christ's new doctrine was the very opposite of their self-righteous
teaching. Jude's eyes were opened by Christ's message and he saw the
Pharisaical teachers in their true light He realized that this

fanatic
sect preached and observed the outward form of religion, but shockingly
neglected the spirit of the law.

It
was easy for him to see that a mortal clash must inevitably ensue between
Christ and the Pharisees. But he was now irrevocably aligned with Christ and
His inspired teaching. Jude had forever abandoned the  fallacious precepts of the pretenders.

An Issue Resolved

Jude
was in the synagogue, an absorbed listener, when an early conflict with the
Pharisees came. It focused on the observance of the Sabbath, always a vital
question. This subject furnished the batdeground for die Pharisees and Christ:
a merciless legalism, the letter of the law, arrayed against the compassionate
heart of Christ and His boundless charity.

A
man with a withered hand precipitated this battle of principles. Would Christ
perform a miracle and restore this man's hand to health on the Sabbath? The
Pharisees suspected that He would. That would provide them with a splendid
opportunity, a clear- cut case, before all the assembled people, of Christ's
disregard of their sacred law.

The Inevitable Clash

Jude
sensed that the issue was being clearly drawn when, with the crippled man
before Him, Christ definitely raised the point: "Is it lawful to do good
on the Sabbath, to save a life?" He touched the man, and he was made
whole! Christ clearly defined the clash of doctrine and practice: "The
Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath." Jude saw the angry
Pharisees leave the synagogue to take counsel in secret and to plan the
downfall of this innovator who was gathering more and more disciples about Him.
Jude was now fully aroused as to the fundamental nature of the conflict. It was
a new, inspiring, and loving doctrine that Christ was unfolding.

                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    CHAPTER
SEVEN

Jude
is Called

Apostles
Chosen

THE
time had arrived for Christ to declare Himself publicly and to announce His New
Law. The preliminaries were over, His apostles were gathered around Him, and
Jude was there with all the enthusiasm of a novice beginning a glorious
adventure. The great moment of his life had arrived, for his name was about to
be announced as one of the Twelve. Christ had already determined that exact
number so that it would correspond to the twelve tribes of Israel. Several of
the group had already been

named
and had been associated with Christ for some time; now He had completed the
list, and Jude Thaddeus thrilled with emotion when his name was called. He was
now an official member of Christ's little band.

The
Sermon on the Mount

The
Twelve were to receive the first doctrinal lesson in the New Law through the
Sermon on the Mount. Jesus returned from a night of solitary prayer on the
mountain, and Jude, with the other apostles, joined Him in the early morning. A
multitude of people — the lame, the blind, the sick, the curious — were there
on the mountainside; they had been there all night awaiting the healing hand of
the Savior and eager to hear His word. While Jude listened with burning
intensity, Christ began to speak. It was a long sermon, as sermons are reckoned
today, and the informal audience followed His words with breathless attention.

As
Christ unfolded the theme, there was hardly a stir among them except for an
occasional gasp as some felt the sublimity of the subject matter covered. It
was in vivid contrast to the Old Law which His listeners had been accustomed to
hear. It was an exposition of the bond that should unite them, the bond of
charity. The new doctrine was an extension, a broader view, of the older law
and it was disclosed with many practical and convincing examples,

Jude's
Reaction

When
Jude came down with Christ from the mountainside his head was filled with
stimulating ideas of service. Christ and the apostles were to make their way to
Capharnaum to sleep that night, but Jude's mind was resdess with visions of
activity. He projected himself into the future when he would be associated with
tne Master in proclaiming this law of love to his own Jewish people. In a vague
way, Jude knew of the difficulties that would be encountered. He had already
seen from the attitude of the

Pharisees
that it was easier to heal men's bodies than to change their minds. But Jude
could not foresee the trials and failures, the signs and wonders, the disbelief
and insults which the future held for him

as
he was to travel through this land with Christ, teaching and practicising His
new doctrine of love. Yet, had Jude known that future — its trouble, pain,
humiliation, death itself — he would not have faltered. He was entranced with
the beauty of Christ's teaching and he was anxious to "go forth and teach
all nations." But the road ahead was hard and rocky.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Jude's Training

THE
days that followed were active ones for Jude. He was launched on his new
career. He believed firmly in the Master but he did not always fully
comprehend. Jude had long shared the desire for a national liberator, one who
would break the Roman chains binding his nation. The specifications of

Christ's
new law demanded that he abandon his former support of the old Jewish doctrine,
the structure on which his forefathers had stood firm for generations. Christ's
contract required that Jude build upon the new untried ground of service. Was
it rock or sand ? Could he base his life upon it with firm security ? What
about his beloved nation? It took months of association with the new Teacher
before he fully recognized how secure the foundation was, not only for himself
and his people, but for other peoples as well.

The
new mode of life was not an easy one for Jude, the farmer, nor for his
companions, the fishermen and the tax collector. It meant much discipline of
mind and body. Jude had to remold the concept of rigid justice taught by his
elders into the more flexible concept of love and service,. He had to change
the quiet routine of rural life into a strenuous twenty-four-hour day of
apostolic activity which demanded the strength to climb mountains, to trudge
rugged roads, to sleep in the open, to endure

fasting
and hunger.

This
meant field work and exploration by day, study and contemplation by night,
under the supervision of the Principal of the new school. Jude had much work to
do, much study to accomplish before he would be graduated, before he would
receive his diploma with the injunction from the Master, "as the

Father
has sent me, I also send you."

ST.
JUDE THADDEUS Field Work

Jude's
field work started immediately when he walked with Christ to the little town of
Nairn. On that first trip he saw Christ show His great power and His
compassionate heart by raising the young man to life and restoring him to his
widowed mother.

Jude
was at the banquet with the Master when Mary Magdalene washed His feet with
penitent tears. He heard the consoling words of Christ: "Her sins, many as
they are, shall be forgiven her, because she has loved much."

He
learned another lesson quickly in the boat on the Lake of Genesareth when a
sudden storm came up and he cried out with the others: "Lord save us! We
are perishing." He saw Christ stretch out His hand and calm the sea. He
stood outside the house of Jairus where the crowd was mourning the death of the

little
twelve-year-old daughter. He heard people laugh Christ to scorn when He said,
"The girl sleeps." Jude saw Him enter the house and say, "Girl,
arise!" He carried one of the baskets * to gather up the fragments from
the feeding of the 5,000 with the few barley loaves and fishes. He learned the
Lord's Prayer from Christ's own lips. He heard all the parables: The Unjust
Steward, The Lost Sheep, The Prodigal Son; he heard Christ speak about the
blindness of the Pharisees, and he was startled by the predictions of the
Passion and Resurrection. It was a fruitful training for the time when he would
first be called upon to test his qualifications, when he would as a fledgling
try his own wings.

Jude's
eyes were raised in astonishment many times as he traveled through Galilee,
Samaria, and Judea and witnessed the wonders Christ performed. The teaching,
the miracles, the progress of the great drama of redemption in which Jude now
had a part — all have been recorded in the Gospels by the Evangelists, two of
whom, Matthew and John, accompanied Jude on these missions. It is an
ever-thrilling, inspired story, familiar to all readers, and it needs no
retelling here.

CHAPTER
NINE

Jude's
First Mission

TIME
was passing quickly and the apostles had much to learn. One day at Capharnaum
Christ gave them their first commission — to. go to the "lost sheep of the
house of Israel." Christ knew that Jude and the others were not prepared
as yet to preach to the foreigners, the Gentiles, or even to the separated

Jews,
the Samaritans. This was their first trial, to preach to their own people. To
equip them for this mission, He gave them the same power He possessed to cast
out unclean spirits and to cure every kind of disease and infirmity.

The
Instructions »

The
aposdes were dispatched two by two and they were to deliver the message,
"The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Probably Jude and Simon were
partners, the beginning of an apostolate which later would carry them to
distant countries. Both heard the filial instructions with apprehension. They
were to carry no money, extra clothing, or food. They were not to seek rest in
public inns, but were to abide in one private house in each town so as to be
available to anyone who wished to hear their message or to have the sick cured.
If they met with rebus in any town or village they were to move on to the next
one. They were to take nothing! They were to fear nothing! They were to trust
completely in Christ! These were demands that tested the strength and courage
of both Jude and Simon. They must possess nothing except poverty, in order to
gain souls for Christ; nothing for themselves, everything for Christ! It was a
challenge to the first apostles and it was to carry down through the ages to
their successors, to St. Dominic and to St. Francis when they sent their
tunic-clad friars into the same hardened world. Going forth, Jude preached
repentance to men, cast out devils, cured the sick, and worked other miracles
in Christ's name. This was his first practical work for the Savior. He
experienced his first thrill and emotion in exercising the power granted to
him. He saw happiness reflected in the twisted and deformed bodies

he
made straight and upright; he realized the great gift of vision which he
bestowed on sightiess eyes; he drove devils out of tormented souls. Jude knelt
on the ground at night in the sanctuary of his room and thanked Christ who had
given such gifts to him* Little did he realize that this was a bequeathed power
which he would exercise down through the ages for many desperately afflicted
and hopelessly unfortunate humans.

| Return to School

Flushed
with the success of their first mission, Jude and the other apostles returned
to Christ bubbling over with excitement and enthusiasm. Jude was quick to
remember that they had been sent only to their fellow countrymen, the Jews. He
realized that much more schooling was needed before they would be qualified to
go among the Gentiles, the Samaritans, and the distant nations. This training
was to continue through the public life of Christ; and during the remaining
months of close association with Him, Jude was to witness many more astonishing
miracles and to absorb many practical lessons of doctrine before he was
ordained a priest to go among the unenlightened.

Time
was passing rapidly and the climax of Calvary was approaching. The new and
disturbing doctrine of Christ was causing much political agitation among the
rulers, and religious turmoil among the Pharisees and Sadducees. He still had
many lessons to teach the Twelve and great miracles to perform before

their
faith was stabilized: for example, another multiplication of loaves and fishes
to prefigure the changing of bread and wine into His own body and blood. Jude
was present at all of these. Daily his concept of Christ's mission was
broadening, and he became steadily more conscious of his part in Christ's plan
for the redemption of mankind.

CHAPTER
TEN

The
Last Week

JUDE
heard the messengers who came to Christ with the news that His friend Lazarus
was ill. The apostle wondered why Jesus, instead of going at once to His
friend, lingered along the Jordan River for two days and then told them Lazarus
was dead. Jude was even more confused when Christ said, "I go that I may
wake him from sleep." When they arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had been in
the grave four days. Jude helped roll the stone back so that Christ might call
Lazarus forth!

This
was the very summit of Christ's miracles, the introduction, as it were, to His
death and the pledge o£ His Resurrection. So while those at the tomb believed,
those in high places plotted. Christ must go on to Jerusalem so that He might
be crucified. But before that came to pass there was one joyful note, a demonstration
of affection by the people themselves on Palm Sunday when they strewed palms in
His path and cried: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the
Lord!"

The
Last Supper

Christ
and the Twelve gathered in the Upper Chamber. As we look back on that scene
from our distant view, it is easy to see that the aposdes did not grasp the
full significance of that supper — the material meal for the human body and the
divine food for the immortal soul. Their minds were filled with dreams and
ambitions for a kingdom in this world. Despite the solemnity of the occasion
they were wrangling among themselves about their places at the table; but
Christ gave them a lesson in humility by washing their feet, and he
administered a stinging rebuke to their manners by commanding: "Let him
who is greatest among you become as the youngest, and he who is the chief as
the servant." Where was Jude during all this discussion? Jude gave
evidence of his great humility by seeking the lowest place. Famous artists in
their paintings seem to recognize this humility, for they place Jude among the
lowest at the table. He is not quoted by any of the Evangelists as taking part
in the rivalry for place, but after all were seated and Christ began His
discourse, it is evident that Jude was listening intendy to Christ's words, for
then he asked an important question to which Christ replied.

The
supper was nearly finished when Christ instituted the Blessed Sacrament and
gave the apostles of His own body and blood. Jude, on account of his place at
the table, was one of the last to receive the body and blood from Christ's own
hands. He bowed his head reverendy when Christ consecrated him a priest and
gave him the power to change bread into His body and wine into His blood with
the simple words, "Do this in commemoration of Me!" Jude had now
received his full commission. He was a "priest forever according to the
order of Melchisedech." His road of service stretched out ahead of him
into the distant lands, but there remained the last instructions from the
Master.

Final Admonitions

Christ
was fully aware of the sadness that would fall upon the apostles after His
departure by the way of the cross. He knew of the fear that would seize them,
and He wanted them to know that they would all be reunited in His Father's
house; that He and the Father are one; that the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth,

was
to come to abide with them and make them understand all things. If the apostles
loved Him they would keep His commandments and they would have no fears.

But
all this was hard for them to understand. They interrupted Him with questions.
Thomas was puzzled, he wanted to know where Christ was going; Philip did not
comprehend; he asked, "Lord, show us the Father." Christ digressed
from His formal speech to reassure them. He told them that every person who

loves
Him will also be loved by the Father, "And I will love him and manifest
Myself to him."

THE LAST WEEK 33

Jude's
Question

Jude,
the newly ordained, who was usually the silent one, the thinker, comprehended
Christ's meaning and he was thrilled by the thought of union with Christ, but
in his generosity he wanted to include all men in this revelation. So Jude
leaned forward from his self-appointed place at the foot of the table and

respectfully
expressed his wish in the form of a question, "Lord, how is it that Thou
art about to manifest Thyself to us, and not to the world?" St. John tells
us (14, 23), "And Jesus answered and said to him. . . ." Looking at
Jude, Jesus says, in effect, "The manifestation will be to you, and with
the coming of the Ad-

vocate,
the Holy Spirit, through you to the world!" The other apostles probably
did not fully comprehend the meaning of Christ's answer, but the light in
Jude's eye showed that he understood.

This
question must have been discussed for some time among the early Fathers, for
St. Cyril (315-386) has made significant comments about it. There are several
St. Cyril, but this one was Bishop of Jerusalem and a successor to Jude's own
brother, James. He lived in the very city where this question was asked

and
answered, so he must have heard subsequent comments about it. St. Cyril is
today a Doctor of the Church, and his words carry weight. He says:

]ude
is indeed worthy of admiration; for his desire is that the glory of Christ
should shine forth as the sun does on the material world. His zeal for the
salvation of souls was not yet satisfied, although he was among the chosen few
to whom the Savior of men had revealed Himself. The burning charity which filled
St. Jude's heart toward his fellow creatures made him ardently desire that the
knowledge and love of his divine Master should be extended to everyone. There
being no more questions, Christ closed this part of His discourse at the Last
Supper with the words, "Arise, let us go from here." The first
Communion was over, the thanksgiving was made. Jude, who had sat down to that
table a seminarian,

arose
a priest. Christ had manifested Himself to him. After the coming of the
Advocate, it would be Jude's turn to manifest Christ to the world.

The Answer to the King

Jude
was now to become the bond between Christ and the world, and specifically
between Christ and King Abgar. Christ has given His answer to Jude's famous
question. He would send the Advocate on Pentecost Sunday to take up His
residence in the new Church and in the hearts of men. Our question concerning
Jude's identity has been answered, and soon Jude will bring in person to King
Abgar the answer to the king's question:

"Who
is this Jude?"

CHAPTER
ELEVEN

Preparation and Departure After the
Resurrection

THE
ensuing days were bewildering ones for Jude. He was torn with many conflicting
emotions, for startling events followed in rapid order: the crucifixion, the
burial, the resurrection. Then came Christ's appearance to Jude and the other
apostles at the table. His message: "Receive the Holy Spirit, whose

sins
you shall forgive. . . ." Then the Ascension, followed by the sense of
loneliness, helplessness! The Master is gone! Now Jude, the pupil, must assume
his responsibility; but first there is the prayerful preparation for the active
work.

The First Novena

Jude
spent the time between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday in community
prayer with the other apostles; Mary, the Mother of God; his own mother, Mary
of Cleophas; and the other holy women. Then on Sunday morning, with a rush of
wind and parted tongues of fire, Jude received the plentitude of the Holy Ghost
and the gift of languages for his missionary work. Thereafter, though Jude
spoke only his native language, he was understood by all listeners in all the
countries he visited and he could comprehend their speech. There would be no
confusion of tongues in his preaching.

Jude's
First Sermon

On
Pentecost Sunday, Jude delivered his first sermon to the people of many nations
who were in Jerusalem at that time. Among them were, as the Bible relates,
"Parthians, Medes and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia."
Later, Jude would preach to all these people in their own countries and again
they would understand him in their own tongues. The Acts of the Apostles has
not preserved Jude's sermon for us, as it has preserved Peter's words on that
day, but we know that Jude spoke with the same fire and conviction and that
many of the 3,000 converts to the new Church on that early morning were the
first fruits of Jude's apostolate.

Organizational Work

Jude
did not start at once on his special assignment to King Abgar in Mesopotamia,
for there were official duties requiring his presence in Jerusalem. The first
important matter for the apostles was the selection of a new member to replace
Iscariot, the one who had defaulted. The choice ultimately fell on Matthias,
who henceforth was numbered among the Twelve. They had to apportion the lands
of the Gentiles for their particular missionary work; Jude, of course, already
had his territory assigned by Christ. There were other appointments to be made organizational
and executive tasks which demanded attention.

Jude's Departure

There
was no formality about Jude's departure, for he had little to pack for his
journey. He had been trained in the school of Christ to travel light.

On
his first mission to the lost sheep of Israel, Christ had commanded, "Take
nothing for your journey, except a staff. ... no wallet, no bread, no
money."

This
time it was easier for Jude to travel unencumbered, for he was equipped with a
confidence and knowledge that Christ was "the Way, and the Truth, and the
Life."

He
recalled that this was Christ's reply to Thomas' question at the Last Supper
when Thomas asked, "How can we know the way?"

Now
Jude understood his Master's words more fully and he also comprehended in a new
sense Christ's answer to his own question about how Christ would manifest
Himself to the world.

He
knew now that Christ was manifesting Himself to the world through him by this
first journey to strangers.

PREPARATION
AND DEPARTURE 37

When
Jude left our Blessed Lady, his mother, and the apostles in Jerusalem, he
passed over the familiar road into Galilee, where he visited with his relatives
for the last time — a "homecoming" and a "farewell." Then
he moved on to Capharnaum, the scene of so many vivid memories, and then out of
his own country into Syria, where he announced the Risen Christ to the people
at every stop. He knew that haste was not required in reaching Edessa. His
official orders were to cure King Abgar, but there was no imminent danger to
the king's health. Hence, he could spread the gospel and work miracles in Syria
and Lebanon, as he approached Mesopotamia and the king's palace.

In Syria and Lebanon

The
first large city on his itinerary was Damascus, an important commercial center
on the main highway from Palestine. Syrian merchants had brought home news of
the recent events in Jerusalem. Some of them had been in that city when Peter, Jude,
and the other apostles had preached on Pentecost Sunday,

and
they had heard of the Resurrection. Jude by his presence and his preaching in
their own city confirmed the report that Christ was truly risen and that the
Scriptures had been fulfilled. The people were filled with awe and reverence at
his words, his curing of their sick, and his wonderful miracles. Truly, Jude
was preaching the kingdom of God to these willing listeners.

Jude
moved on to Beirut, a coastal town of Lebanon on the Mediterranean, where he
continued his preaching and the working of miracles. Even to this day his name
is held in reverence in that city and some unsubstantiated claims have been
made that he finally suffered martyrdom here. This, at least, indicates the
traditional deference for his presence in the ancient city.

When
Jude left the shoreline, he went north in Syria where he made his last stop at
the inland town of Aleppo. He delivered the same message of hope to its people,
but he could not stay long, for the king's Captain Cumra was waiting to escort
him to Edessa.

CHAPTER
TWELVE

In Edessa ,The Escort

WHILE
Jude was preaching in Lebanon and Syria, news of his approach had filtered into
Mesopotamia. Captain Cumra's intelligence agents had carried the information to
him from beyond the border. He had in turn relayed it to Hannan, King Abgar's
secretary. The king sent for Cumra.

"Captain,
I am overjoyed. We are about to receive the ambassador of the Savior, this
Jude, for whom, as you know, I have long waited. All courtesy must be shown him
and his high rank. Since you have met him before, you will again be my official
representative."

Cumra
assured the king of his pleasure, but he grew pensive. Observing his expression
the king asked, "What troubles you, Captain?" The captain's reply was
tactful. "I am wondering, Your Majesty, about the proper reception for
this representative. When I saw Christ and His follower, Jude, they did not affect
any display or haughtiness. I fear he will not wish any elaborate ceremonies or
court ritual and I know you would not wish to embarrass him."

"How
right you are, my Captain," graciously agreed the king. "See him
first at our border or beyond and greet him for me. He will understand why I am
unable to meet him myself. Learn if he has a retinue and if so how many and
their rank. Ascertain his wishes and send a courier to me at once with your
message."

Then
as an afterthought, the king added, "Perhaps you yourself should meet him
without uniform, as you did before." The king had much to learn of the
simplicity of the kingdom of God ! Jude was not coming to receive honors. Jude
was on his way to give, to manifest Christ to the king and his people, to

fulfill
a promise made by Christ, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have believed."

The Arrival

Now
the king anxiously awaited Jude's appearance. Relays of messengers had kept him
informed of Jude's approach and his desire for a private reception. The king
dismissed all the members of his court circle with the exception of his
secretary and his personal attendants. All withdrew to the courtyard, for

they
realized that some important event was about to occur. They had noted Captain
Cumra's absence and there was speculation about it: Was the king worse? Had the
captain gone for some special physician?

Next
they saw the captain without his military uniform coming toward the palace with
a plainly clad stranger carrying a staff. They watched the pair go directly to
the king's chambers.

There
Jude stood and faced the reclining king — the king surrounded by regal
splendor; the apostle in his simple tunic, yet clothed with the grace of God
and His delegated power.

Jude
spoke first, the simple greeting of the Master after His Resurrection:
"Peace be to you. The Lord has sent me." The "king bowed his
head in grateful acknowledgment. "Peace be to you also," he answered.
"I have long awaited this meeting. I have cherished the likeness of your
Master these many

days.
I have kept it near me always." The king took the cloth and handed it to
Jude who received it graciously. Then the king added prayerfully, "Now,
may your Lord and Savior grant my petition and make me clean!"

Even
as he spoke Jude stepped closer to his couch, carrying the cloth with the image
of Christ's face. Stretching forth his hand, as Christ had done so many times,
he said, "The Lord wills it so. Thy faith has made thee whole," and
touching the monarch's tortured body, he said, "Be thou made clean!"

Instantly
the leprosy dropped from the king as a soiled robe is shaken off, and he rose
from his couch a cleansed man.

Falling
on his knees before Jude, the king kissed his worn sandal. Tears of joy
streamed from his eyes as he said, "Blessed be thy Savior, now and forever
in my whole kingdom!" The small group of onlookers was stunned. They had
seen with their own eyes an incredible happening, something beyond

all
practical experience — an incurable disease banished by a word and a touch!

The
captain was the first to regain his composure. He clapped his hands and ordered
the attendants to clothe the king in regal garb so that he could appear on the
balcony; the voices of those in the courtyard revealed their impatience at
being excluded from the mysterious happenings in the palace. The captain, too,
quickly donned military dress.

It
was a dramatic moment when the three appeared on the balcony — the captain in
his military attire, the king now erect and majestic in his regal robes, and
Jude in his humble, faded tunic. An awed hush fell over the court as they
looked at their king.

They
marveled to see him restored to physical health and strength, and turned their
eyes to the humble man on his right, surmising that he must in some way be
associated with this wonder. An impulsive cheer rocked the courtyard as the
full force of the miracle dawned on them.

The
King Speaks

Raising
his hand, the king obtained silence. From the balcony he looked down upon his
people with affection; his voice resounded in the stillness:

"My
people," he said, in a voice filled with emotion, "behold your king
miraculously restored to health by this apostle, Jude, through the power of
Jesus Christ, whom the Jews so recently crucified in Jerusalem because He said
He was the Son of God." After a pause for his excited people to realize
the full significance of this message, he added: "Truly, I say to you He
is the Son of God and this day I have knelt before His apostle, Jude, and I, a
king, have humbly acknowledged His greater kingship and His

eternal
kingdom."

The
entire court again broke into cheers. Again the king waved for silence.
"My beloved people," he announced, "there is much cause for
rejoicing. Let heralds be sent immediately throughout my king-

dom
to announce the good news to all the people. Let there be general rejoicing. I
declare a three-day holiday for the kingdom, with merriment and celebration for
all. On the third day, let my court assemble in the palace for a banquet of
thanksgiving and to hear the apostle, Jude, tell us of his great God, so that
you, too, may believe in Him."

A
pandemonium of happiness seized the people as they swiftly scattered to spread
the exciting news and to rejoice in the holidays. Meanwhile, Jude quietly
retired into the palace with the king and the captain. It was the greatest day
in the history of Edessa. In commemoration of it and of Jude's miraculous part
in it, he has been represented by artists and sculptors throughout the
centuries as carrying an image of Christ in his hand.

CHAPTER
THIRTEEN St. Jude's Travels

ST.
JUDE received the people of Edessa into the true Church without encountering
any major difficulties. With the good will and favorable attitude of the
miraculously cured king, the people readily followed his example. It was much
the same as when Christ cured the royal official's son of whom St. lohn tells us:
"And he himself believed, and his whole household." (4, 53) It will
be recalled that King Abgar had invited Christ to share his kingdom. That invitation
was now extended to Jude, but the apostle graciously accepted only part of the
generous offer. He made the city his headquarters. However, he could not, ac-

cording
to Christ's instructions, take up his residence in the palace. He accepted humble
quarters in the city with a man named Tobias. To this place the poorest in the
kingdom felt free to come, and the sick and the afflicted solicited his help
without embarrassment or humiliation. From Tobias' home, Jude obeyed Christ's
command to "cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out
devils."

Jude
traveled throughout the territory establishing the king dom of God on earth,
exercising the wonderful powers given to him by healing men's bodies and their
souls. This traveling was not easy, for the subjects of King Abgar were nomadic
tribes of Arabic people who were caught in the struggle for territory between
powerful states. Jude labored among these scattered people for many years, and
the results of his zeal and his executive ability are written in the subsequent
history of Mesopotamia and in the catalogue of saints, for a rich harvest
resulted from the seeds of Christianity planted by Jude.

Confusion of Names

Years
later, our apostle, Jude, was to be succeeded in Edessa by another Thaddeus, a
later disciple. At that time Abgar IX, also (ST, JUDE'S TRAVELS 43 )a Christian
king, was the ruler. The two disciples and the two Abgars have become somewhat
confused in the historical record that has endured. The end of the little
kingdom and of the reigns of the Abgars came in the year 216 when the infamous
Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, nicknamed Caracalla, ravaged Edessa
and the surrounding country. It never again regained its independence, but it never
lost its love and affection for Jude who brought the faith to its lands.

To Other Lands

Meanwhile,
Jude was continuing his great apostolate and carrying the message of Christ to
other peoples.

We
devoutly wish that he had left us a legacy of letters and that he had charted
his apostolic journeys, as St. Paul did in his Epistles. We would fervently
treasure such a diary of his missionary activities, of the people he converted,
of the obstacles he overcame, and of the miracles he worked, but there is no
chronicle of his travels. However, we know that the task that confronted Jude
was a difficult one, for it had many ethnological problems of race and
language, of origins and customs. For instance, Mesopotamia, now part of
Turkey, had occupied a key position on the world's crossroads since the dawn of
history. Here^all the ancient people met and fought for political and religious
supremacy. This was the arena in which Jude's activities were to be displayed.

Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia
is mentioned many times in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Abraham's son,
Isaac, married Rebecca who came from there, and Isaac in turn sent his own son,
Jacob, to that country for his wife. Later, this land saw the flowering of the
Greeks and the Romans before it was divided into many small states such as
Bithynia, Pontus, Lydia, Phrygia, Cappadocia, and others. Then in Jude's time
it witnessed the early development of Christianity. Jude mapped his crusade,
inspired by the Holy Ghost. He left (44 ST. JUDE THADDEUS )Edessa and traveled
north into Bithynia and Pontus, both of which are in the northeast part of the
country, with seaports on the Black Sea. It seems that this section was
especially reserved for Jude. Paul, when he was nearby, was forbidden by the
Holy Ghost to enter or speak in Bithynia (Acts 16, 7). Jude entered the country
without molestation although Nero's troops were there.

Jude
must have planted in fertile soil, for St. Basil the Great (330-379) tells in one
of his letters that he made a spiritual retreat in Pontus and that many
monasteries were there.

CHAPTER
FOURTEEN  Into Strange Countries

JUDE'S
next journey was into Armenia, a mountainous country in Western Asia, on the
Black Sea, containing the "Holy Mount," Ararat, where Noah's ark
rested after the flood. When Jude entered Armenia, it was a pagan country whose
people worshiped strange gods. There he planted the seed of Christianity which
later was to be harvested by St. Gregory the Illuminator. There, too, St. Basil
the Great, one of the towering figures in Church history, was to try valiantly
to effect unity among a people divided by schisms and heresies.

Jude
must have realized that these new converts were like children. They could not
grasp the full beauty and complete doctrine of the newly established Catholic
religion. It would take time and growth for them to develop, and he would have
to exercise patience. Paul experienced the same difficulties in making the Corinthians
in Greece understand. He had to write to them, "When I was a child I
thought as a child, I spoke as a child. But when I became a man I put away the
things of a child." ( i Cor. 13, 11).

Armenia
has written a tragic page in the records of nations. It has been disrupted by
doctrinal dissensions and torn by political wars until today the Catholics are
few. Politically it has ceased to exist, for it has been divided among Turkey,
Persia, and Russia. These three nations account for about half of the present
population; many native Armenians, who still enjoy the reputation of being
shrewd and capable commercially, are now scattered in other lands. Yet the name
of Jude Thaddeus is still held in great reverence in that territory.

46
ST. JUDE THADDEUS

Russia

There
is substantial evidence that Jude traveled at least into the southern part of
what is now Russia. The large city of Tiflis is only about 150 miles north of
Mount Ararat. It is the capital city of Georgia and it has been destroyed and
rebuilt many times through the centuries. From Tiflis it is less than 300 miles
to the key city of Baku on the Caspian Sea, now an important oil producing
center for the Russians. The high Caucasus Mountains do not have to be crossed
to reach these towns from the Armenian border. The evidence of Jude's presence
in Tiflis and aku comes from ancient writings and from the persistent and constant
devotion to him in that territory even to this day; indeed, it seems reasonable
to assume that his zeal would have forced him to make the comparatively short
journey into Russia. And there may be other significant reasons for the
interest of our Lady and St. Jude in this unfortunate country, especially in our
own times.

History
in these days may be weaving a new pattern. For instance, it was at Tiflis that
Stalin studied theology and it was in this town that he was dismissed from the
seminary and entered the revolutionary movement. It was in Baku that he began
his plotting, after his escape from prison. At the time of the first

revolution
in Russia, our Lady appeared in Fatima (1917) to show, by a miraculous vision
to three children, her continued interest in Russia. When Stalin came into full
power, after the death of Lenin, devotion to St. Jude entered into a new phase the
inauguration of public devotion to him in our own country. This new expression
of fidelity supplemented the popular private devotion to him which was already
widespread.

Continued
Interest

Are
the Blessed Mother and her nephew, St Jude, still concerned about the Russian
people? The eloquent answer will be found in the world-wide devotions to Our
Lady of Fatima, in the increasing number of public shrines to St. Jude, and in the
gigantic chorus of prayer that ascends heavenward for the Russian people.
Yearly, thousands of pilgrims travel to Portugal to pray for these stricken
people, and Saturday devotions, as requested by our Lady, are now offered
throughout our country where the petition is made to her: Our Lady of Fatima Obtain
peace for the world.

In
the numerous public shrines of St. Jude and through the multitude of novenas
made in his honor the same plea rises to the throne of God: St. Jude, pray for
us That our times may be peaceful.

CHAPTER
FIFTEEN

Return
to Edessa

Message
from Simon

JUDE
returned to his headquarters in Edessa. The ground had been broken in Russia
and the grain planted. It was as Christ said when He went to Jerusalem for the
last time, "Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it
remains alone" (John 12, 24-25). Jude had planted the grain in Russia

and
now on his return journey through Armenia he had to harrow the soil where he
had previously planted.

News
of Jude's homecoming to Edessa had been widely rumored before his arrival, and
the populace was prepared to greet him with manifest affection. He found many
changes. Tobias had died a Christian death, but the humble quarters of Jude had
not been disturbed. Captain Cumra was aging and had been

given
an honorary post at the palace. The king himself was conscious that his earthly
reign was nearly completed and his son, Prince Abgar, had been prepared for his
future duties. The people themselves seemed unchanged and greeted Jude with the
same delight they displayed when they first took him to their hearts.

Simon's Message

There
was a message awaiting Jude — a letter from the Apostle Simon which had been
received during Jude's absence. Simon was working at that time in Persia, or
Iran, as it is called today. He had encountered difficulties with the
Zoroastrian magicians who wielded a powerful influence over the Parthian rulers
and a semireligious control over the people. The leaders had a superstitious
fear of the sorcerers and their incantations. The people, too, in their
ignorance of the supernatural, were fearful of the magicians, who, by their
seeming influence over the idols, were treated seriously and appealed to
solemnly for the interpretation of signs or omens.

Jude's Reply

Jude
could not go to the aid of Simon at once, for as he explained to Simon he had
certain imperative work to do in Edessa and the surrounding country. When he.
was able to leave his affairs in the hands of competent assistants he would go
to Persia. In the meanwhile, if Simon pleased, would he send him a

letter
outlining the main points of the critical situation so that he, Jude, could
prepare himself accordingly? Simon wrote to him from the campsite of General
Baradac, chief of the king's army which was preparing to withstand an invasion
from India. Simon mentioned as the principal source of his trouble the two evil
magicians, Zaroes and Arphaxat.

An
Explanation

We
must pause here for an interpolation so as to avoid confusion in the mind of
the reader. Various translators, of the original records have spelt the name of
the general in different ways, for example, Varadac, Baradac, Varadach, etc.,
and there are many spellings for the names of the two magicians. This is not
due to a diversity of persons, for all translators agree on the individuals,
but it is caused by the difficulties encountered in changing proper names from
the original language into English.

Since
all three men played important roles in the lives of the two apostles, it is
well to state here that we are following the spelling used in the book entitled
The Golden Legend, by Blessed James of Voragine (1228-1298), a Dominican friar
who became Archbishop of Genoa.

Historical
Data

Blessed
James based his writings, as he tells us himself, on the Ecclesiastical History
of Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine (260-341), who is called the
"Father of Church History." Eusebius borrowed from Abdias of Babylon,
said to have been one of the 72 disciples of Christ and the first Bishop of
Babylon, consecrated by SS. Jude and Simon. Abdias was not an inspired biblical
writer, but his early historical records have been widely accepted and quoted
by illustrious Church dignitaries — for instance, St. Ephrem the Deacon, who
died in Edessa in 373; St. John Damascene (676-758) — and by the early
ecclesiastical writers Nicephorus, the historian, and Scholasticus Evagrius.

CHAPTER
SIXTEEN Jude and Simon

JUDE
and Simon were to encounter in Persia what Paul and Barnabas had to contend
with at Paphos on the island of Cyprus — magicians full of deceit (Acts 13,
6-10). General Baradac was a prudent man. He was prepared for the expected invasion
of an army from India, but he was inwardly troubled; he

had
consulted the idols and he had not obtained favorable signs. There were two
magicians Zaroes and Arphaxat in his camp who had been driven out of Ethiopia
by Matthew. In desperation, the general enlisted their services. The magicians
failed to secure ^ favorable responses from the idols and, recalling their
experience with Matthew, they blamed this upon the presence of the apostles in
the vicinity of the camp.

The
general ordered that Jude and Simon be brought before him. This was the very
opportunity the apostles were seeking in order to demonstrate the power of God
over evil forces. They stood before Baradac, not as he had expected to see
them, cringing and fawning prisoners, but as honorable and dignified men. He
was impressed immediately. He quickly changed his planned policy of
intimidation and asked them respectfully, "Who are you, what is your race,
and why are you here?" Jude became the spokesman. He replied with the same
clarity and brevity: "We are servants of Christ. Our race is Hebrew. We
are here for your salvation."

The
general was startled at this succinct and intelligent reply. He wished to probe
further into the motivation of these two men who aroused his keen interest,
especially by the remark about salvation. But that must wait. "As you
know, I am about to start a battle for our king and our country," said
Baradac. "I plan to outmaneuver the enemy by attacking him first instead
of letting him take the offensive. Because I have waited in vain for propitious
signs from the gods, I am giving the command to march. If you are here when I
return I shall talk further with you."

This
was Jude's opportunity. He replied quickly, "If you knew j our Master
better, you would realize that He can give you victory or dispose your enemy to
beg for peace without !". He said rather brusquely, "You seem very
confident and sure of yourself. Is this a challenge? Do you claim your God has
more power than our gods and our seers? If you do, then predict here and now the
outcome of this batde! Will we defeat the enemy? Yes, or no? Answer!"

The
Challenge

Jude
and Simon were not perturbed for they were sure of God's power. They answered
softly and respectfully, Jude again doing the talking. "We can give you a
definite and a positive answer immediately, but, General, we want to open your
eyes to these two deceivers, for that is what they are. Please ask them the
question: 'Will we win?' and insist that they give you a clear and a positive
reply,

'Yes'
or 'No.' Then when they have answered, if they dare do so without evasion, we
will prove they are false by giving you the truth! Command them, General, and
your ears will be astonshed and your eyes will be opened!" N

"It
is a fair challenge, Hebrews." Then turning to the soothsayers he said,
"I command you to make your prediction. Will we win? Yes or no!"

It
was a dramatic moment. The entire staff of officers and their orderlies were
tense as the two conjurers whispered to each other. Finally they spoke in a
halting and hesitant manner. "The gods tell us that it will be fierce war,
long and bitter. The people will flee before the enemy. More than this the gods
will not tell us. This is their final word." The general and the soldiers
were appalled at this frightful pre-

diction.
They were speechless, but Jude and Simon broke into laughter.

The
general sarcastically asked, "You laugh at death? Are you so cruel that
you enjoy the death of my soldiers?"

"Oh,
General," Jude said, "we laugh only at the foolish pretenders who try
to deceive you. We are both men of peace and we bring the peace of our Christ.
This is our true prophecy: Tomorrow at the third hour of the day, truce
officers from the enemy will arrive seeking peace. There will be no battle and
no

slaughter
of your soldiers; no fleeing of the people from the enemy. This is told us by
our Master and King, Jesus Christ."

The
general and his officers heaved sighs of relief, but the magicians were
frightened by this bold prediction. Trying to save face they forced a laugh to
their lips. "These strangers who say they are Hebrews may well be from the
enemy, seeking to lull you into a false security, so that the soldiers from
India may overcome you by a surprise attack. Do not trust the foreigners."
The magicians ignored the fact that they too were aliens.

This
point was quickly picked up by Jude and he made his clinching reply: "These
two men are likewise strangers to your land. We do not tell you, General, that
your country will endure a long and costly

war.
We ask you to wait only until tomorrow morning, keeping your soldiers alert in
the meantime."

The
general's decision was prompt and certain. "Officers," he commanded,
"place all these men under guard in separate cells. We will await the morning
and then we will know who speaks the truth. We shall see whose god is true!
When morning comes the false interpreters shall be executed. Proceed!" But
Jude and Simon in their cells were not alarmed. They rejoiced in the Holy Ghost
and "glorified God that gave such power to men."

CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN - The Victory

NEXT
morning as the hour drew near, the general had the apostles and the magicians
brought to headquarters under guard. There they awaited the final test — would
the truce force come from India? Jude and Simon were calm and confident, Zaroes
and Arphaxat were noticeably excited and nervous. They knew that time was
running out. A sentry announced the hour it was the deadline set by the
aposdes. A blare of trumpets sounded in the camp. The tricksters winced and
paled as sentinels from the outpost entered and saluted. At a recognition from
the general they reported: "Commander, unarmed envoys from India are
seeking audience and bearing peace offerings!"

"Admit
them," ordered the general, "and bring them here to my
headquarters." Then turning to his officer of the day he commanded,
"Take these four men away under guard until I order them back. Make ready
to receive the envoys. Summon my staff officers."

Justice vs. Mercy

After
the satisfactory completion of the peace parley without the loss of life, the
general summoned Jude and Simon and the two discredited magicians. He looked at
the sorcerers in contempt.

Then
he said courteously to the apostles, "Your God has predicted truly. Later
I wish to learn more of Him and this salvation of which you spoke. But first
the two pretenders must pay the penalty of their knavery. Guards, throw them
into the fire!" But the apostles pleaded with him.

THE
VICTORY 55

"General,
spare them; we have not come to destroy the living, but to give more abundant
life to those who will accept our God." The general and all his soldiers
wondered greatly that the good men would plead for the lives of the evil ones.
But he granted their wish by ordering the magicians expelled in disgrace from Persia
while he took the apostles to his king for a complete personto-person report of
the eventful happenings of that morning.

This
was the beginning of a sequence of rich apostolic work in that pagan country.
But Jude and Simon had not seen the last of their satanic enemies. They were to
meet again in another country with tragic results.

How
many years the two apostles labored among these people has never been determined
accurately. History is vague on this point, but one author, Fabricius, giving
an earlier source, states it was 13 years.

This
does not necessarily mean successive years and does not preclude the
possibility that Jude may have made several visits to Edessa, Armenia, and
other places. We have fairly well substantiated evidence that Simon labored in
India, and other less reliable information places him in China.

It
seems reasonable to assume that after the singular and spectacular demonstration
of the power of God given to the Persians, the two apostles must have remained
in that country long enough to establish the new Church on a firm foundation —
one on which their successors could safely build.

Regarding
the activities of Jude and Simon, there are many fanciful stories that have
gained strength and stature as they have been fed by centuries of folklore and
hero-worship. They cover the gamut of human achievements and superhuman performances.
We shall reluctantly forego them, not because they may be "worthless
things enclosed in jeweled cases," but because "there is nothing so
powerful as truth — and often nothing so strange." This strange truth,
which God was .to work through Jude and Simon, took the apostles to the ancient
country of Babylonia— now Iraq — the fantastic land of Ali Baba and the Arabian
Nights,

CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN

Babylonia
and Idols

WHEN
the two wicked magicians were ordered out of Persia, they immediately sought
refuge to the west, in Babylonia. This was the fertile delta between the
Euphrates and Tigris rivers. It was the site of the ancient city of Babylon,
whose ruins are not far from the modern tourist stop called Hilla. Nearby is
Baghdad, the present capital of Iraq. Here the two magicians took up their
residence and continued their weird rituals before the pagan idols.

Meanwhile,
Jude and Simon traveled into this country and there performed their miracles
and preached the true faith to the people, many of whom believed and were
baptized. Among the miracles told of them are the driving out of devils and the
saving of a community from the ravages of wild animals. However, their most
publicized work in Babylonia was their conflict with the idols. In some cases,
merely by the Sign of the Cross made over the idols, the images were shattered
and the imposters exposed.

Samir
and Its Idols

The
apostles' fame spread throughout the land and greatly troubled the two
magicians who had taken refuge in a town called Samir. The two sorcerers,
Zaroes and Arphaxat, had ingratiated themselves with the pagan clergy in Samir
and had impressed them with their craftiness and chicanery. Samir, with a
temple that had as many as 70 priests serving the idols, must have been a city
of some size.

In
advance of the apostles' arrival, the magicians had agitated the leaders and
the attendants against Simon and Jude, so that the people, taking their cue
from the authorities, received Christ's followers with hostility.

BABYLONIA
AND IDOLS 57 Old Enemies

When
Jude attempted to speak to the high priest, the magicians led such an uproar
that the people frenziedly joined in the tumult and roughly laid hands on the
apostles. Jude and Simon recognized the ringleaders as their former
antagonists, the magicians. The mob dragged the apostles to the center of the
temple and placed them before the idols.

The
sorcerers had a crafty plan. If Jude and Simon refused to kneel in worship
before the idols, the magicians would incite the crazed people to murder them.
In either case, the evil influence that Zaroes and Arphaxat exerted over the
people would be restored. It was, they thought, a dilemma from which there was no
escape for the apostles.

As
Jude and Simon stood unflinching and unafraid before the high priest, the
gloating magicians urged him to put them to the test. Thus incited, he signaled
for silence. The crowd became quiet and listened to the high priest's words:

"The
gods have spoken and their command shall be obeyed. They have told our
soothsayers that these two men from Jerusalem must either offer sacrifice to
the gods or suffer death at your hands. Listen to their answer to our
gods!" Addressing the apostles, he said, "Will you kneel and
adore?"

All
remained in breathless silence awaiting the answer. Jude became the spokesman.
In a clear firm voice that carried to the edge of the throng he spoke.

"We
adore and obey the one and only true God, who said, Thou shalt not have strange
gods before Me!' Through His name and by His power we command these idols to
burst asunder!"

The
Power of God

In a
flash of light from heaven the images split apart, and with a thunderous rumble
they toppled to the ground. A cloud of dust mushroomed into the air. The pagan
priest, the magicians, and the people were stunned at the power of the real
God.

58
ST. JUDE THADDEUS

The
magicians were the first to recover their composure. They shouted at the people
to like  the apostles. But Jude and Simon
were not abashed. They remembered another time when the rabbis and the people
wished to throw Christ off the hill at Nazareth. As He did then, they did now —
they walked majestically through the crowd and no man was able to lay a hand on
them. As they went their way, Jude recalled Christ's admonition when He first
sent him out on his apostolate, "Whoever does not re-

ceive
you or listen to your words — go forth outside that town and shake the dust
from your feet" (Matt. 10, 14).

CHAPTER
NINETEEN The Martyrdom

JUDE
and Simon walked boldly out of Samir. The enraged people were frozen in
amazement. They could not understand this courage. At the outskirts of the
city, the apostles paused in silent reflection over the events of the day. They
bowed their heads in thanksgiving to God who had given such power them. But now
a parting of the ways had come.

It
was with deep understanding and affection that they separated. Simon started
west through the Syrian desert to new fields in strange lands where he
eventually was martyred. We leave him at this crossroads, to follow Jude as he
makes his way north toward his home town of Edessa; a journey started in this
life but completed in another; a long journey that ended in eternity.

The
apostolate of Jude was nearly ended, his earthly career drawing to a sudden
close. He was not acutely aware of this, but he had lived with death for so
long a time that it held no fears for him. Christ had warned the Twelve before
His own death on the cross, "They will expel you from the synagogues. Yes,
the hour is coming that whosoever kills you will think he does a service to
God" (John 16, 2).

While
these thoughts filled Jude's mind as he came nearer to Edessa, his enemies were
active. The day after the destruction of the idols the stunned people began to
recover their poise. Their shame and humiliation slowly turned to rage and
hate. The priests and magicians were quick to capitalize on these emotions.
They stirred the crowd to concerted action; these two Jews must die!

A
picked group was selected and charged with following and apprehending the
apostles. They started swiftly. The intended victims had over a twelve-hour
start; the object was to overtake them before they reached the border. The
Samirites did not relish any complications with a neighboring country friendly
to the apostles. When they reached the crossroads where the apostles had
separated, one group, anticipating that Jude would travel toward Edessa,
followed that route. The other posse headed toward Persia and lost its intended
victim. The first party made a forced march, and its members increased their
rate of travel as they approached the border at dusk on the following day. Then
in the distance the advance guard sighted Jude. He was eating his evening meal
and preparing for the night.

A
briefing of the forces was held by the leader. They would wait until Jude was
asleep. Then they would surround and attack him before he could invoke the aid
of his powerful God. They would carry only clubs as weapons, to approach
without noise. The work was to be done quickly, and the slayers were to

disperse
and find the way home as best they could.

Darkness
fell. Jude slept. Stealthily the murderers surrounded the little valley where
he lay. They were moving silently close to him when an overanxious bludgeoner
stepped on a loose twig. There was a sharp report. With no further need for
caution, the killers converged upon the awakened Jude and hammered death dealing
blows on his head and body. With a single gasp and a muffled prayer, his soul
winged its way to heaven — eternal headquarters for the rain of graces he
showers down on his friends

in
this vale of tears and troubles. The Apostle Jude is now Saint Jude Thaddeus,
represented in paintings and statues with the picture of Christ in one hand,
from King Abgar's day, and with a club in the other, the weapon of his death.

St.
Jude now belongs to the ages. But he continues to operate in the present from
his place in the golden galaxy of saints. He is no longer the "forgotten
saint," but the Patron of Hopeless Cases; one who lives in the hearts and
prayers of millions — his grateful friends and his imploring clients who
constantly call on him:

CHAPTER
TWENTY The Relics of St. Jude

Early
History

AFTER
the martyrdom of St. Jude, written history seems to have ended his record
without an obituary, as though to avoid something shameful. When he yielded up
his spirit, his brutal assassins walked away from the shattered and broken body
as though they longed to take flight from the sickening memory of their savage
deed. When Jude's faithful friends, the men from Edessa, found his body they
tenderly and reverently gave it a fitting burial. They regarded his hidden
grave in Mesopotamia as a temporary shelter for his honored relics, for they felt
his permanent interment would be in Rome with most of the other apostles who
had died for Christ,

Present
Location in Rome

For
many centuries all the bodily remains of SS. Jude and Simon, except the arm
bones, have rested in St. Peter's Basilica. When the present Basilica was in
process of construction, in 1605, Pope Paul V had the relics transferred to a
new altar dedicated to the two saints. This altar is the central one of three
in the left transept. There, according to all human expectations, they will
remain to be venerated for many generations to come. The particular place
chosen for their remains marks the spot where the cross stood upon which St.
Peter was crucified with his head down.

Relics
in the United States

The
forearm of St. Jude, mentioned above, is now the precious possession of St.
Jude Thaddeus Shrine, Chicago. It was presented to the Shrine by the Very
Reverend Raphael Tavano, O.P., Provincial of St. Peter Martyr Province of the
Dominican Order, Turin, Italy. The purpose of Father Tavano in bequeath-

ing
this unusual relic to his Dominican brethren in the United States was his
desire that it be "where devotion to St. Jude flourishes." It was an
appropriate selection, for public devotions to St. Jude have been held daily at
this Shrine for over twenty- five years.

Before
its transfer to the United States, the forearm had been in the possession of
the Italian Dominicans for several centuries. Catholic Armenians, fleeing
persecution in their own country, brought the relic to Turkey where it was
preserved in the Holy Rosary Church in Smyrna. Later it was removed to Italy
for more secure protection.

Its Repository

The
relic, now in two pieces, is contained in a silver casting of a life-sized
forearm which is mounted on a metal base and is complete with a partially
opened hand. The forefinger and thumb of the hand are extended as in a
benediction. The silver form contains a sealed glass section through which the
relic may

be
viewed. The metal of the case clearly demonstrates its antiquity. Silversmiths
agree on its ancient quality and design. The treasured relic is the object of
much devotion from the clients of St. Jude. It is exposed for veneration on the
altar of St. Jude at the close of public novenas which are held five times a
year; at such times it is constantly attended by two guards.

CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE Devotion to St. Jude

Early
Devotions

THE
early Christians who were converted by St. Jude in Asia Minor, where he spent
his apostolic years, started immediately to pray to him as though he were still
among them. This was a natural sequence, since they had known and talked to him
personally when he walked among them and performed his wonders in the Master's
name. The early devotions had a special quality of intimacy which they have
never lost.

Personal Pleas

Appeals
to St. Jude were strictly personal rnatters, and the spread of the devotion
followed the same pattern — for example, when one person had successfully implored
help from St. Jude in some intimate problem which apparently defied solution,
he would pass the wonderful news on to a friend who was experiencing troubles.
The recipient of the saint's help would relate his experience, tell of the
blessings received, and ask: "Why don't you take your problem to St.
Jude?" Thus St. Jude's powerful intercession and his help in the most
difficult cases spread from friend to friend by personal recommendation — a
most effective way of popularizing devotion to him.

Thanks to St. Jude

Another
distinctive feature of devotion to St. Jude has been the constancy with which
his clients have thanked him for favors received. It seems that once people
were introduced to him they immediately became very friendly, and the
friendship endured, for both were pleased with the relationship: the people
with St. Jude's abundant gifts, and the saint with the sincere thanks offered
by his friends. Thus the friendship once sealed is never broken.

Public Devotions

It
was inevitable that the devotion would enter a new phase, for it had to have
some public "clearing house" to sort out the petitions and channel
the thanks to St. Jude in heaven. This public feature began over twenty-five
years ago, in 1929 to be exact, when shrines were established in Chicago under
his

special
title of "Patron of Difficult Cases." The enthusiastic reception
given to this public devotion was a singular demonstration of the private
attachment held by thousands of people in and around this center of
Catholicity.

Increased Popularity

The
continual growth of the devotion indicates that its full stature has not been
reached. Devotional shrines to this now-remembered saint have been erected from
New York to San Francisco. Many churches being built today are erected under
his patronage. Other projects, such as hospitals, and even cities, have been
placed under his name and protection. The influence of St. Jude progresses with
increasing enthusiasm in public devotions and in private appeals.

Loyal Friends

In
their private prayers and public devotions, the loyal friends of St. Jude have
not only recognized him as an apostle and relative of the Lord but they have
also acknowledged him as the special patron and advocate in all their desperate
and seemingly hopeless problems. St. Jude has returned this confidence and trust
so abundantly through his pleadings with Christ that a continual shower of
grace descends upon his imploring friends. He fills their outstretched hands
with rich gifts from God and makes their hearts beat in throbbing thanks. We
can hopefully expect that down through the centuries to come the refrain will still
be ascending, like sweet incense, from priest and people:

"Blessed
apostle, with confidence we invoke thee!

St.
Jude, help of the hopeless, aid me in my distress!"

Dominican
Fathers' Shrine of St. Jude