Saints Simon and Jude

Simon and Jude appear in every list of the twelve apostles. Simon is called "the Zealot" or "the Cananaean," which may mean he had belonged to a group zealous for the Jewish law and the freedom of Israel before following Jesus. Jude, also called Thaddeus, is the apostle who asked Jesus at the Last Supper, "Lord, why do you reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" (John 14:22). He is traditionally identified with the author of the Letter of Jude, which urges Christians to persevere in the faith.

The Gospels tell us little more. A Western tradition holds that, after Pentecost, the two apostles preached together in Persia and were martyred there, which is why they are celebrated on the same day. Their relics are venerated in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Saint Jude is beloved as the patron of difficult and desperate cases. In Mexico City, huge crowds visit the Church of San Hipólito on the 28th of every month, and above all on October 28, bringing images of San Judas Tadeo. In Chicago, the National Shrine of Saint Jude has drawn devotees since 1929.

Saint Simon is honored as patron of tanners and woodworkers, and in many places he is shown with a saw.