The Meaning of St. Jude Medals

One of the 12 apostles of Jesus, his official name was Judas the Apostle or Judas Thaddeus, but it has traditionally been changed to Jude to avoid confusing this figure with that of the Judas figure who betrayed Jesus. Aside from being the patron saint of lost causes, St. Jude is a symbol of choosing faith when all seems lost. He is a testament to standing firm in religious truth in the face of an ever uncertain and challenging world. In fact, throughout the Gospel, Jude stood as a pillar of faith and died in an act of martyrdom which is why he is often depicted as carrying the image of Jesus. The depiction found in St Jude medals typically features an ax which is how this saint met his demise. He is also featured as an older man with a long beard as a testament to not only his long life, but also his wisdom. Many medals also say Pray for Us as a part of the designs.

While Saint Jude medals have been around for a long time, the popularity of this figure has grown in recent times thanks to the opening of the St. Jude Research Hospital. This hospital was created by a man named Danny Thomas, who prayed to Saint Jude for guidance regarding finding the right life path in a time of personal desperation. The hospital now cares for children with cancer and other life threating illnesses, as well as performing groundbreaking research, at no cost to the patient or their families. This organization has certainly brought the patron saint of lost causes and faith in the face of grave difficulties back to the forefront.

Today, people choose to wear St. Jude medals for a variety of reasons. They are commonly worn by Catholics but can be worn by any religious affiliation. These medals make a beautiful gift to anyone experiencing a hard time in life since St. Jude symbolizes hope in times of great need. A medal depicting St. Jude can also be worn by those looking to stay steadfast in their faith.