Saint Jude Thaddeus was born in Cana of Galilee, in Palestine. He was the son of Alphaeus (or Cleopas) and Maria Cleopas. His father, Alpheus, was the brother of Saint Joseph and his mother, first cousin of the Holy Mary. Therefore, Judas Thaddeus He was Jesus’ first cousin, both on his father’s and his mother’s side. One of his brothers, James, was also called by Jesus to be an apostle. He was called James Minor to differentiate from the other apostle James who, because he was older than the first, was called the Greater. Judas Thaddeus he had four brothers: Tiago, José, Simão and Maria Salome.
The family relationship of Judas Thaddeus with Jesus Christ himself, from what can be seen in the Bible is the following: Alphaeus (Cleophas) was one of the disciples to whom Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus, on the day of the resurrection. Mary Cleopas, one of the pious women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and remained at the foot of the cross, on Calvary, together with Mary Most Holy. Of his brothers, James was one of the twelve apostles, who became the first bishop of Jerusalem. Joseph, known only as the Just. Simon was the second bishop of Jerusalem, after James. And Mary Salome, the only sister, was mother of the apostles James the Great and John the Evangelist. It is to be assumed that there was a lot of coexistence between Judas Thaddeus with his cousin and uncles. This fraternal coexistence, in addition to kinship, may have led Saint Mark to mention Judas and his brothers as Jesus’ brothers (Mc 6,3).
The Bible deals little with Judas Thaddeus. But, point out the following: Judas Thaddeus He was chosen by Jesus as an apostle. When the gospels name the chosen twelve, Judas or Thaddeus are always included in the list. The book of the Acts of the Apostles also refers to it (Acts 1:13). He is mentioned especially in the Scriptures in the episode of the Holy Supper, on Maundy Thursday, narrated by John the Evangelist (John 14:22). On this occasion, when Jesus confided to the apostles the wonders of the Father’s love and guaranteed them a special manifestation of himself, Judas Thaddeus He couldn’t contain himself and asked: ‘Master, why should you manifest yourself only to us and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him by saying that all who kept his word and remained faithful to his love would have a manifestation of him. Without a doubt, in this fact, Judas Thaddeus demonstrates his generous compassion for all men, so that they may all be saved.
The body of Saint Jude It is located in Rome and is venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica. Anyone who visits his tomb is granted a plenary indulgence during his feast day following a decree by Pope Paul III.
Saint Jude Thaddeus, pray for us!