Today, the Church celebrates Saints Simon and Jude, two of Jesus’ twelve apostles who spread the Gospel with great zeal and courage. Though little is known about their lives, their faith and martyrdom remind us that God can work wonders through even the most ordinary of people who say “yes” to His call.
Their feast day is a celebration of faithfulness, perseverance, and the missionary spirit that continues to inspire the Church today.
Prayer of the Day
Prayer to Saints Simon and Jude
O glorious Apostles, St. Simon and St. Jude, true lovers and followers of Christ,
You spread His teachings to distant lands, and sealed your faith with your blood.
Intercede for us that we may remain steadfast in faith,
courageous in witness, and faithful in love.
May your example inspire us to live as true disciples of Jesus,
trusting in His mercy and proclaiming His goodness to all.
Through Christ our Lord,Amen
Mass Reading of the Day
First Reading — Ephesians 2:19–22
“You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.”
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 19:2–3, 4–5
“Their message goes out through all the earth.”
Gospel — Luke 6:12–16
Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and from among His disciples, He chose twelve, whom He also named apostles — among them, Simon called the Zealot, and Jude, son of James.
Saint of the Day: Saints Simon and Jude
Saint Simon the Zealot and Saint Jude Thaddeus were among the least-known apostles, yet their lives were marked by immense faith and missionary courage. Simon, known as “the Zealot,” likely earned his title from his passionate devotion to the Jewish faith before following Christ. Jude, often called Thaddeus to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot, is remembered for his Epistle in the New Testament — a powerful letter urging Christians to remain steadfast against false teachings.
Tradition tells us that after Pentecost, Simon and Jude traveled together to spread the Gospel — possibly to Persia (modern-day Iran). There, they faced persecution and were ultimately martyred for their unwavering witness to Christ. Their shared feast reflects their united mission and sacrifice.
St. Jude became one of the Church’s most beloved saints — known as the patron of hopeless causes and desperate situations — reminding the faithful that no situation is beyond God’s power to redeem. Together, Simon and Jude represent the courage of apostles who served faithfully in silence, without seeking glory, until the end.
10 Facts About Saints Simon and Jude
- Both were among Jesus’ twelve apostles.
- Simon was called “the Zealot,” possibly for his passionate devotion to the Jewish law.
- Jude is sometimes referred to as “Thaddeus,” meaning “kind-hearted” or “courageous.”
- St. Jude wrote a short but powerful Epistle found in the New Testament.
- Jude is the patron saint of hopeless or desperate causes.
- Simon and Jude are often depicted together in Christian art.
- Both are believed to have evangelized in Persia and Mesopotamia.
- They were martyred together for their faith — possibly by beheading or being clubbed to death.
- Their relics are venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
- Their feast day, October 28, has been celebrated since the 9th century.
