The Prayer Novena to St Jude is a comforting and powerful prayer. However, it’s one that many people are unfamiliar with. Here, we’ll go through the mechanics of how the prayer is said, including full text of the three major prayers involved.
If you say other common Novenas like the Rosary or the Chaplet of Devine Mercy, you may know that the prayers can be said alone but that they are commonly said in a group. The Novena to St. Jude is the same way. When we provide the texts to the prayers in the article below, the text for the “leader” is standard text and text for the response is bolded.
Contextual information not part of the prayer is included in italic.
The First Prayer
Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.
Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly -
At this point in the prayer, a specific intention of the individual or group is added. Then, the prayer continues.
- and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.
Amen
The Second Prayer
May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the tabernacles until the end of time. Amen.
May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen.
St. Jude pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen.
Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Blessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all Eternity.
Dear Apostle and Martyr for Christ, you left us an Epistle in the New Testament. With good reason many invoke you when illness is at a desperate stage. We now recommend to your kindness
(Here, the name of a sick person or hospital patient)
who is in a critical condition. May the cure of this patient increase his/her faith and love for the Lord of Life, for the glory of our merciful God. Amen.
Final Prayers
After these less familiar prayers, the novena is concluded with one Our Father:
Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
and one Hail Mary:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee. Blessed art though amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners – now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Why not say a prayer?
Saying a nine-day prayer can sound intimidating. However, the Novena to St. Jude is much shorter than other novenas. While some of the prayers may be new to you, most of them are probably familiar, making it a good prayer to add to your tool belt.
