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October 28: Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles—Feast
First Century
Patron Saint of curriers, woodcutters, and tanners (Simon); hopeless causes and hospital workers (Jude)
Pre-Congregation canonization
Liturgical Color: Red
Quote:
In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. ~Luke 6:12–16
Reflection: Today, the Church honors Saints Simon and Jude, two of the Twelve Apostles chosen by our Lord. They were two of the first bishops through whom our Lord established His Church and from whom every bishop, priest, and deacon is a spiritual descendant.
Very little is known about these two Apostles, other than what is briefly mentioned about them in the New Testament, and even that is a little confusing. They are both listed among the Twelve whom Jesus names Apostles: Matthew 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:13–16; Acts 1:13.
Today’s Simon is not Simon Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, but rather “Simon the Cananean” (Matthew and Mark) and “Simon the Zealot” (Luke and Acts). Both names mean the same thing. “Cananean” does not refer to the Land of Canaan but is a translation of an Aramaic word meaning “zealous.”
It’s interesting to note that Jesus chose a variety of different people as His Apostles. Perhaps the most stark contrast is found between Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector. As a zealot, Simon would have been very committed to his Jewish identity and would have been firmly opposed to Roman oppression and taxation. He would have had an immediate aversion to Matthew, who previously served the Romans by collecting taxes for them from the Jews. The fact that Jesus did not choose like-minded Apostles shows His inclusion of all people. Jesus did not have a favorite type of person. He was not bound by cultural ties, ideologies, or social classes. He was not nationalistic in the sense of being a separatist or isolationist. He was interested in all people, those of every background and experience, and His Apostles reveal that fact. Jesus might have chosen Simon because He wanted to reach out to those who were firmly committed to their Jewish heritage, traditions, and beliefs, and Simon was able to reach those people.
Jude is referred to as “Judas son of James” (Luke and Acts) and “Thaddeus” (Matthew and Mark). The only other reference that is certain about Jude comes from John’s Gospel during the Last Supper in which Jude is referred to as “Judas, not the Iscariot…” (John 14:22). During the Last Supper, Jesus compassionately instructed His Apostles that He would soon be leaving them, but they should have courage and wait for His Advocate, the Holy Spirit. Jude, expressing a bit of confusion, asked Jesus, “Master, [then] what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” In other words, Jude was asking Jesus why He doesn’t just manifest His divinity to everyone, in a clear and convincing way, so that they will all believe in Him. Jesus’ answer is mysterious, but He essentially points out that belief in Him must come by the inspired gift of faith, and that obedience to that faith, and to the will of God, will result in divine union.
There is also a reference in two of the Gospels identifying Simon and Jude as Jesus’ brothers: “Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?” (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). However, most scholars today believe these two are not the same as the Apostles but are cousins of Jesus. It was custom at that time to refer to one’s cousin as brother or sister. It is possible that the Judas identified as Jesus’ brother is the author of the Epistle of Jude in the New Testament, rather than the Apostle. However, that point is debated, and even Pope Benedict XVI at a General Audience in 2006 pointed to the tradition that the Epistle of Jude was, indeed, written by the Apostle. If that’s the case, then it might be that these two Judes are one and the same.
Regarding their deaths, nothing is known other than unreliable apocryphal sources, such as the Passion of Simon and Jude, and other fourth-century and later sources. One of the most common traditions is that Simon and Jude traveled to Persia to preach the Gospel and were both killed there in the year 65. Simon is traditionally believed to have been sawed in half, and Jude is traditionally believed to have been beaten with a club. They often appear in sacred art holding the instruments of their deaths. Other traditions state they ministered in Armenia, Beirut, Lebanon, Roman Britain, Egypt, and/or Samaria and died by arrows, crucifixion, and even a peaceful death.
The Epistle that has been traditionally attributed to Saint Jude the Apostle is a short but passionate letter in which he warns all Christians against immorality and heresy trying to enter the early Church. Some suggest it is for this reason that he is named Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes, because of his passionate plea. Another tradition states that because Jude shared a name with Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, Saint Jude’s intercession was rarely sought. However, after the intercession of every other Apostle and saint was sought, people in the early Church would turn to Saint Jude as their last hope. There are many ancient traditions holding that Saint Jude has provided many miracles throughout the centuries.
As we honor these Apostles, what we know for certain is that they were instrumental in the early Church. Being among the first bishops, they bore the sacred responsibility of transmitting the Sacraments and the teachings of Jesus to a nascent Church. One day in Heaven, we will see clearly the effects of their pastoral ministry. Today, we rejoice in what we do not fully know, trusting that their lives gave great glory to God and won the salvation of many souls.
Prayer: Saints Simon and Jude, you were both privileged to learn from Jesus Himself. After His Ascension, you were among the first to receive the Holy Spirit and ordination as bishops. God used you to then go forth and fulfill His command to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Please pray for me, that I will more fully understand my mission within the Body of Christ and will fulfill my duties with diligence and love. Saints Simon and Jude, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Unit Leader: Bro. Dave & Sis. Tess Calces
☺Household Leader: Bro. Daniel & Sis. Dome Magno
Members:
-Bro. Joewey & Sis. Mayang Morales
-Bro. Rodel & Sis. Shirly Saludes
-Bro. Emman & Sis. Joan Leonor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Sonny & Sis. Cora Andal
Members:
-Bro. Bernie & Sis. Lorna Faustino
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Lani Mangalus
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Gina Salma
-Bro. Nonie & Sis. Josie Fajilan
☺Household Leader: Bro. Edmund & Sis. Eve Espiritu
Members:
-Bro. Bart & Sis. Kathy Fallaria
-Bro. Dan & Sis. Tess Tolentino
-Bro. Eric & Sis. Lilian Lingal
☺Household Leader: Bro. Rodel & Sis. Mhang Manuel
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Irene Austria
-Bro. Willy & sis. Milly Lathrop
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Jessa Quing-quing
-Bro. Ernie & Sis. Darmie Sojor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Cris & Sis. Nora Pineda
Our Activities:
National Shrine of Saint Jude: Legion of Mary Praesidium
MARIA SPES SINENSIUM Members :
- President: Caroline Gozun
SCOPE OF WORK:
Home to home visitation; taking and updating of the parish census; recruitment and follow up of active and auxiliary members; follow up on marriage validation, baptismal, Holy Communion and confirmation cases; hospital visitation; block rosary; participation in various parish and curia activities.
ABOUT:
The Legion of Mary
The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. This meeting was to have very beneficial consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church and, in a special way, for millions of members of Christ’s lay faithful who would serve in the Legion and for those who would be served by the legionary apostolate. Many persons outside the Catholic Church would also benefit from that apostolate. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organisation with several million members.
Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. While essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors, hold an honoured place in the Legion system. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Loyalty to the Magisterium and to Ecclesiastical Authority is a basic legionary principle. The Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus and legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.
The general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and the salvation of souls as its final end and purpose. Evangelisation, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, should be a priority for the Legion. Through the visitation of homes and by other means, the Legion must, as a first principle, set out to establish a contact of some sort with every soul everywhere. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary apostolate. While not engaging in the giving of material relief, legionaries will often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.
The basic unit of the Legion is called a praesidium, which is normally based in a parish. A parish may have more than one praesidium. To be an active legionary it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to the members, who generally work in pairs. After a successful period of probation, members are called to make the Legionary Promise (this is only applicable for members over 18 years) which is directed to the Holy Spirit. Realising the necessity for a strong support of prayer, the Legion has Auxiliary members, who associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name. The administration of the Legion is carried out through its various councils at local, regional and national level. The central council, the Concilium Legionis Mariae, meets monthly in Dublin.
The Cause for Beatification has been introduced for three legionaries: The Servant of God, Frank Duff (1889-1980), Founder of the Legion, who attended the Second Vatican Council as a Lay Observer; Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944), Legion Envoy to East Africa; and the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe (1932-1959), Legion Envoy to South America.