Pupil Report - Sts. Simon and Jude

​The feast of Saints Simon and Jude is celebrated on October 28. Both saints are among the twelve apostles.

​Simon is normally called “the Zealot” to distinguish him from Saint Peter. Most of  the then known world claimed that Simon preached the Gospel to them. However, it is generally believed that he preached in Persia and Babylonia. Saint Simon was martyred in the first century. He is frequently depicted with a saw as it is believed he was hacked to pieces.

Saint Jude, also called Thaddeus, was the brother of James the Lesser. He is credited with the Epistle of Saint Jude. It is believed that he preached in Palestine, where he was martyred in the first century. Saint Jude is the patron saint of impossible causes.

The liturgical prayers for the feast of Saints Simon and Jude highlight their role as apostles:

Collect
O God, through Your Blessed Apostles, Simon and Jude, You have brought us to the knowledge of Your name; grant that we may celebrate their everlasting glory by advancing in good works, and that we may advance in good works by celebrating it. Through our Lord.

Gradual
To me, Your friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened. Alleluia.

Secret
Honoring the everlasting glory of Your holy Apostles, Simon and Jude, we beseech You, O Lord, that, being cleansed by the sacred mysteries, we may the more worthily celebrate that glory. Through our Lord.

Communion
You who have followed Me shall sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Postcommunion
We, who have received the sacraments, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that, by the intercession of Your Blessed Apostles, Simon and Jude, what we do in honoring their martyrdom may profit us as a remedy. Through our Lord.

Sancti Simon et Thaddaee, orate pro nobis!

This post was written by Kirsten Fontenot, an SJCA pupil in the Rhetoric Stage of her curiculum.