Attend Mass for Ss. Simon and Jude
The feast of Ss. Simon and Jude is celebrated on October 28 in both the old and new calendars. These two apostles, whose names are mentioned together in the Canon of the Mass, share a day of honor. Attending Mass is a beautiful way to remember their apostolic zeal and martyrdom for Christ. If you’d like to experience a Traditional Latin Mass for the feast of Ss. Simon and Jude, you can find one near you (click here).
Prepare Soul Cakes for Hallowtide Feasts
Soul Cakes, also known as Bread of the Dead, are a traditional treat made during Hallowtide, a time for remembering the saints and praying for the souls of the dead. Baking these small, spiced cakes with your family can be a meaningful activity. While preparing and sharing them, offer prayers for the souls of loved ones. You can shape the cakes into rounds or crosses and give them to family, friends, or neighbors while explaining the significance of this tradition.
Here’s a traditional recipe for Soul Cakes, which are often made during Hallowtide (from All Saints’ Day through All Souls’ Day). These lightly spiced, biscuit-like cakes have a long history and are associated with prayers for the souls of the deceased.
Traditional Soul Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar (you can use brown sugar for a deeper flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice (optional)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
- 1/2 cup currants or raisins
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk (add more if needed)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, salt, and spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice). These give the soul cakes their signature warm and cozy flavor.
- Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. You want to avoid overmixing, as this could make the cakes tough.
- Add Currants/Raisins: Stir in the currants or raisins. Traditionally, raisins symbolize the soul of the person being remembered.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, beat the egg and milk together. Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time.
- Shape the Cakes: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter or a glass (around 3 inches in diameter) to cut out the cakes. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
- Add the Cross: Using the back of a knife, gently press a small cross shape into the top of each cake. This symbolizes the connection to prayer and remembrance of the dead.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10–15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overcook.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cakes cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Traditionally, Soul Cakes are given to children or the poor in exchange for prayers for the souls of loved ones.
Optional Glaze: If you’d like to add a bit of sweetness, you can glaze the cakes with a simple mix of powdered sugar and milk. Brush the glaze on while the cakes are still warm.
Serving Tradition:
Serve the Soul Cakes to family or neighbors as part of a Hallowtide tradition, perhaps offering them while reciting prayers for the souls of the faithful departed. They pair nicely with tea or cider for a reflective autumn treat.
These simple cakes are a beautiful way to honor the spiritual connection between the living and the dead, remembering the Catholic tradition of offering prayers for the souls in purgatory during the Hallowtide season.
Read a Hagiography of Ss. Simon and Jude
Read a detailed hagiography of St. Simon the Zealot and St. Jude Thaddeus, apostles who spread the Gospel to distant lands and met martyrdom for their faith. St. Simon, also known as the Zealot, traveled to Persia with St. Jude, where they preached and converted many to the faith before they were martyred. St. Jude is especially known for his powerful intercession in hopeless cases. You can find these hagiographies in classic works like The Golden Legend or online at NewAdvent and other Catholic sources.
Below is an excerpt from The Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voragine, focusing on St. Simon and St. Jude, whose feast day is October 28. This text is a medieval collection of hagiographies and was one of the most popular books of its time. The excerpt gives a detailed account of the apostles and their missionary work:
St. Simon the Apostle
Saint Simon, called the Zealot, was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Christ. He was surnamed the Zealot because of his zeal in upholding the Law of Moses before he was called to follow Jesus. After the ascension of our Lord, Simon preached the gospel in Egypt, Cyrene, and Libya, converting many to the Christian faith.
Eventually, he joined Saint Jude in Persia, where they labored together in spreading the gospel. They found the people deeply entrenched in idolatry and pagan customs. Simon and Jude preached to these people with great vigor, performing many miracles to confirm the truth of their message. The hearts of the Persians were hardened at first, but gradually many converted, throwing down their idols and turning to the true God.
In the end, however, the idolatrous priests incited the people against Simon and Jude. The two apostles were captured, tortured, and martyred for the faith. Simon is said to have been sawed in half, a fate reflected in traditional Christian iconography where he is depicted with a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom.
St. Jude the Apostle
Saint Jude, also known as Thaddeus, was the brother of James the Less and a cousin of our Lord. He is sometimes called “Jude Thaddeus” to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. According to tradition, after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jude preached the gospel in Mesopotamia, Libya, and Persia. He is especially invoked as the patron saint of desperate or hopeless causes because of a letter he wrote that urged Christians to remain steadfast in faith, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
Jude is credited with authoring the Epistle of Jude, which is part of the New Testament. This short but powerful letter warns against false teachers and heresies that threatened the early Church, calling on Christians to “contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3) and live holy lives in anticipation of Christ’s return.
Saint Jude, along with Saint Simon, worked in Persia to spread the Christian faith. There, they performed many miracles, which caused great conversions, but also stirred up the anger of the local pagan priests. The two apostles met their martyrdom together. Tradition holds that Jude was martyred with a club, which is why he is often depicted in religious art holding this instrument of his death.
Conclusion of Their Martyrdom
The martyrdom of these two apostles greatly inspired the early Christian faithful. Their feast day is celebrated together because of their shared missionary work and martyrdom in Persia. They both tirelessly spread the gospel, facing hostility with courage and zeal until their deaths.
In their honor, the Church commemorates them together on October 28, encouraging the faithful to invoke their intercession, especially in times of trial and adversity. Saint Jude’s patronage of desperate cases stems from the powerful prayers answered through his intercession. Saint Simon’s zeal for God’s law and unwavering faith stand as a model for those called to defend the truth of the Gospel.
Reflection: The lives of Saints Simon and Jude show us the importance of missionary zeal, unwavering faith, and courage in the face of persecution. Their willingness to give everything for the sake of Christ is a profound example of the call to discipleship. May we, like them, remain steadfast in our faith and always be ready to share the gospel with those who need to hear it, even in the face of difficulties.
Pray the Litany of St. Jude
The Litany of St. Jude is a powerful devotion, particularly for those who feel lost or hopeless. St. Jude, often called the “Patron of Impossible Causes,” is known for his miraculous intercession in difficult situations. Gather as a family to pray this litany, asking for St. Jude’s prayers for the challenges you face.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Holy Mary, Queen of the Apostles, pray for us.Saint Jude, Apostle of Christ, pray for us.
Saint Jude, surnamed Thaddeus, pray for us.
Saint Jude, among ‘the brethren of the Lord,’ pray for us.
Saint Jude, cousin of the Lord, pray for us.
Saint Jude, relative of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Jude, brother of Saint James the Less, pray for us.
Saint Jude, Zealot party member turned Disciple, pray for us.
Saint Jude, spiritual heir of the Maccabees, pray for us.
Saint Jude, one of the Twelve, pray for us.
Saint Jude, honored by thy humble Master washing thy feet, pray for us.
Saint Jude, who received thy Eucharistic Lord from His own hands at the Last Supper, pray for us.
Saint Jude, Saint of the Impossible, pray for us.
Saint Jude, Helper in Difficult Cases, pray for us.
Saint Jude, in whom so many have confidence, pray for us.
Saint Jude, redeemer of the name of Judas, pray for us.
Saint Jude, one in whom we can trust, pray for us.
Saint Jude, sent by Christ on missions of healing, pray for us.
Saint Jude, sent without silver, staff or sandals, pray for us.
Saint Jude, sent as a sheep among wolves, pray for us.
Saint Jude, sent to announce the reign of God, pray for us.
Saint Jude, promised the Holy Spirit under trial, pray for us.
Saint Jude, filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, pray for us.
Saint Jude, witness to the Resurrection of Christ and His Ascension, pray for us.
Saint Jude, miracle worker, pray for us.
Saint Jude, to whom the epistle by that name is attributed, pray for us.
Saint Jude, believed to have preached in Mesopotamia, pray for us.
Saint Jude, thought to have been martyred with Saint Simon in Persia, pray for us.
Saint Jude, saint for our needs, pray for us.
Saint Jude, saint for our times, pray for us.
Saint Jude, pictured with a burning flame, pray for us.
Saint Jude, patron of many shrines in thy honor, pray for us.
Saint Jude, beloved intercessor at novenas, pray for us.
Saint Jude, inspirer of confidence, pray for us.
Saint Jude, helper of the persistent, pray for us.Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.Pray for us, St. Jude, Apostle of Christ.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:O glorious Saint Jude Thaddeus, by whose sublime prerogatives wherewith thou wast ennobled in thy lifetime, namely, thy kinship with Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh, and thy vocation to be an Apostle; by that glory which is now thine in Heaven as the reward of thine apostolic labors and thy martyrdom: Obtain for us from the Giver of every good and perfect gift all the graces we stand in need of in order to treasure up in our hearts the divinely inspired doctrines which thou hast transmitted to us in thine Epistle; that is to say, to build our edifice of perfection upon our most holy Faith, praying by the grace of the Holy Spirit; to keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of Jesus Christ unto eternal life; to strive by all means to help those who go astray, exalting thus the glory and majesty, the dominion and power of Him Who is able to keep us without sin and to present us spotless with exceeding joy at the coming of our Divine Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pray the Novena to St. Jude
Say once a day for 9 days, especially beginning on 19 October and ending on 27 October, the eve of the Feast of St. Jude. When the Novena is finished, you must publicly thank St. Jude for his prayers for you. This is often done by taking out a small ad in the Classifieds section of newspapers.
To Saint Jude, Holy Saint Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke thy special patronage in time of need. To thee I have recourse from the depths of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition, in return I promise to make thy name known and cause thee to be invoked. Saint Jude pray for us and all who invoke thy aid. Amen.
Recite an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be three times. Keep your promise to St. Jude and make his name known.