For desperate and seemingly impossible causes.

St. Jude Thaddaeus, Apostle of Jesus Christ, is universally venerated as the patron of hopeless and desperate causes. His powerful intercession is sought when situations appear beyond human solution.

The Prayer

O most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,
the Church honors and invokes you universally
as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of.
Pray for me; I am so helpless and alone.
Make use, I implore you,
of that particular privilege given to you
to bring visible and speedy help
where help is almost despaired of.
Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive
the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities,
tribulations, and sufferings, particularly [mention your request].
I promise, O blessed St. Jude,
to be ever mindful of this great favor,
to always honor you as my special and powerful patron,
and gratefully to encourage devotion to you.
Amen.

About This Prayer

St. Jude Thaddaeus was one of the Twelve Apostles and is believed to have preached in Mesopotamia and Persia, where he was martyred. He is the author of the Epistle of Jude in the New Testament. His patronage of hopeless causes is thought to arise from the fact that his name resembled that of Judas Iscariot, so few prayed to him — meaning desperate petitioners had no choice but to turn to him.