Saint Jude Thaddeus’s Feast Day

Saint Jude Thaddeus’s Feast Day, observed every year on October 28, honors the apostle Saint Jude Thaddeus—one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. It’s a moment for believers to reflect on hope, perseverance, and the power of faith when facing difficult and “hopeless” situations.

History of Saint Jude Thaddeus’s Feast Day

Saint Jude Thaddeus, sometimes simply called Jude, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and—not to be confused with Judas Iscariot—carried on the gospel after Jesus’ ascension. Tradition holds that he preached in places such as Judea, Samaria, and Armenia before meeting martyrdom.
The feast on October 28 is part of the Western Christian calendar and is shared with Saint Simon the Zealot in many traditions. Over time, devotion to Saint Jude grew, especially among those facing desperate, difficult, or “lost‑cause” situations, and this shaped the way his feast day is observed and the way he is venerated.

Why is Saint Jude Thaddeus’s Feast Day important?

On this day, the focus turns to hope rather than abandonment—even when circumstances feel overwhelming. Celebrating Saint Jude’s feast invites us to acknowledge that faith often shines brightest in times of struggle and that perseverance itself is a kind of victory. It reminds us that even the least likely causes can find support and solace and that a spiritual ally exists in someone who walks through “hopeless” places alongside us.
In a deeper sense, the feast can serve as a mirror: we see how communities gather around the “impossible” and through that gathering strengthen their bonds of compassion, solidarity, and shared faith. The feast day encourages us not simply to pray for miracles but to be instruments of hope ourselves—responding when others feel forgotten or out of options. Here are five human-centered thoughts on why this feast matters:

• It honors a figure who stands with people facing “no way out” and gently reminds us we’re not alone.
• It reinforces that faith doesn’t require certainty—it demands trust when answers are unclear.
• It invites us to remember that spiritual traditions often grow in shadows, not just in sunshine.
• It encourages communities to reach out to those in need, not only when things are easy, but especially when things are hard.
• It challenges us to carry hope into our own lives and the lives of others, even when logic says hope is lost.

How to Observe Saint Jude Thaddeus’s Feast Day

Observing October 28 needn’t be complicated: attending a Mass or service honoring Saint Jude is a meaningful way to engage, but you can also find personal, simple ways to reflect and act. You might begin with a brief moment of silence or prayer focused on the people in your life who feel stuck or forgotten—inviting the intercession of Saint Jude. From there you could offer a practical gesture: a message of encouragement, a visit, a small act of kindness—actions that echo the promise of hope the apostle embodies.
Another meaningful way is to read or listen to the letter attributed to Saint Jude (the Epistle of Jude) and consider how its message of perseverance and guarding faith in hard times applies in your community. Following that with a shared meal, a gathering of friends discussing how hope surfaces in adversity, or a quiet journal reflection can bring the feast alive in everyday life. Here are five approachable ideas:

• Attend a local church service or special Mass honouring Saint Jude.
• Spend five minutes writing a note of encouragement to someone who seems stuck.
• Read a short passage from the Epistle of Jude and reflect on what it says about endurance.
• Light a candle (or turn on a light) at home as a symbolic gesture of hope and remembrance.
• Invite friends or family to share stories of times when hope surprised them—turning the feast into lived connections.

Saint Jude Thaddeus’s Feast Day Dates Table