October 28
St Simon and St Jude, Apostles
Today the Church celebrates St Simon and St Jude, two of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus. Simon is often called "the Zealot" in the Gospels, which may indicate his zeal for the Law or possibly membership in a Jewish nationalist group, though evidence about his background is limited. Jude, known also as Thaddeus, is remembered for his question to Jesus at the Last Supper and, by tradition, as the author of the Epistle of Jude. Historical details about their lives after Pentecost are uncertain; early Christian tradition suggests they preached the Gospel in the East, possibly in Persia, and both are believed to have suffered martyrdom, though precise circumstances are shrouded in legend.
The Church honors Simon and Jude together, reflecting ancient martyrologies and perhaps their shared missionary journeys. Their faithful witness reminds the Church of the vital role of the Apostles in laying the foundation of Christian faith and unity. Their feast invites the faithful to contemplate the courage, perseverance, and prayerful dedication necessary for discipleship. They are especially invoked together, and St Jude in particular has become renowned as the patron saint of hopeless causes.
Celebrating St Simon and St Jude reminds us of the diverse backgrounds and personalities Jesus united in His closest followers, emphasizing the universal call to holiness. Their example encourages Christians to witness steadfastly to Christ in challenging circumstances, trusting in his grace and fidelity.
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Questions about St Simon and St Jude, Apostles (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingEp 2, 19-22
Brothers and sisters,
you are no longer strangers or people just passing through,
you are fellow citizens with the saints,
you are members of God’s household,
for you have been built into the structure
which has the Apostles and prophets as its foundations;
and the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
In him, the whole building is joined together harmoniously
to become a holy temple in the Lord.
In him, you too are being built together
to become a dwelling place of God through the Holy Spirit.
– The Word of the Lord.
PsalmPs18 (19), 2-3, 4-5ab
The heavens proclaim the glory of God,
the firmament tells of the work of his hands.
Day after day pours forth speech
and night after night imparts knowledge.
No words are used in this message,
no voice is heard;
yet their message goes out through all the earth,
and their news to the ends of the world.
GospelLc 6, 12-19
In those days,
Jesus went out to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the whole night praying to God.
When day came,
he called his disciples and chose twelve of them,
to whom he gave the name Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter,
Andrew his brother,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas,
James son of Alphaeus,
Simon called the Zealot,
Judas son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Jesus came down from the mountain with them
and stood on a level place.
A large group of his disciples was there,
and a great crowd of people
who had come from all Judea, Jerusalem,
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.
They had come to hear him
and to be healed of their diseases;
those who were troubled by impure spirits
were cured.
And everyone in the crowd sought to touch him,
because power was coming out from him
and was healing them all.
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org