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Saint Jude Thaddeus, patron of difficult causes
Our double-sided medal brings together two of the most popular devotions in Mexico and throughout Latin America: Saint Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of difficult causes, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas.
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Saint Jude Thaddeus, El Greco (Wikimedia Commons, public domain)
Original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Basilica of Guadalupe, 1531 (Wikimedia Commons, public domain)
Saint Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of impossible causes
Jude Thaddeus was one of Jesus' twelve apostles. For centuries, he was rarely invoked because his name was confused with that of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. Tradition holds that, precisely for this reason, those who turned to him did so when they had no other hope left. This is how he became the patron saint of difficult and desperate causes. His feast day is October 28.
We explain how that day is celebrated in how to celebrate October 28, and why he is visited every month in Mexico in Saint Jude Thaddeus in Mexico: the devotion of the 28th.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
In December 1531, on the hill of Tepeyac, near present-day Mexico City, the Virgin appeared to Juan Diego, a newly converted indigenous man. As proof for the bishop, she asked him to gather roses in the middle of winter. When he opened his tilma (his cloak) before the bishop, the roses fell out and the image of the Virgin, which is venerated in her basilica today, appeared imprinted on it. Her feast day is December 12.
Our Saint Jude Thaddeus medals
Fun facts
- Saint Jude is usually depicted with a flame above his head, which recalls Pentecost, and with a medallion with the face of Jesus on his chest.
- In Mexico City, on the 28th of every month, thousands of faithful people go to the temple of Saint Hyacinth to give thanks.
- The Basilica of Guadalupe is one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world. Juan Diego was canonized in 2002.
- The name Guadalupe comes from Extremadura: Our Lady of Guadalupe of Cáceres was already highly venerated by the Spaniards who arrived in America.
We explain what the medallion, the flame, and the rest of his attributes mean in the symbols of Saint Jude Thaddeus.
Do not confuse Saint Jude Thaddeus with Judas Iscariot
They are two different apostles, and the gospels themselves take care to separate them. Saint Luke, when giving the list of the Twelve, names them one after the other: «Judas of James and Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor» (Lk 6,16). Saint John, when recording the question asked at the Last Supper, specifies who is speaking: «Judas, not Iscariot» (Jn 14,22). Matthew and Mark simply call him Thaddeus.
The first followed Jesus to the end and, according to tradition, died a martyr. The second is the one who betrayed him.
Sharing a name with him came at a price. The traditional explanation is that, because of this confusion, Thaddeus «fell into oblivion»: few wanted to entrust themselves to a saint who had the same name as the traitor. According to Desde la Fe, the weekly publication of the Archdiocese of Mexico, the confusion gradually cleared up over time, and it was in the second half of the 20th century when he gained a large number of devotees.
Facts you can check
- At the Last Supper, Jude Thaddeus asked Jesus a question that is recorded in the Gospel of Saint John (Jn 14,22): «Lord, why are you going to manifest yourself to us and not to the world?». Source
- It is not known for certain where the nickname «Thaddeus» comes from. One explanation links it to the Aramaic word taddà', which means «chest». Source
- The image of Saint Jude that is venerated today in the temple of Saint Hyacinth was brought to Mexico by the Claretian missionaries in 1933, from Barcelona. It arrived at Saint Hyacinth in the sixties. Source
- In 2024, a first-class relic of the saint, the bone of an arm, traveled through Mexico. About 22 million people went to venerate it. Source
- Saint Luke distinguishes «Jude of James» from «Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor» (Lk 6,16), and Saint John specifies: «Jude, not Iscariot» (Jn 14,22). Matthew and Mark simply call him «Thaddeus». Source · Source · Source
- Because of the confusion between the two, Thaddeus «fell into oblivion»; his devotion grew in the second half of the 20th century. Source
Why give this medal
It is the medal to accompany someone in a difficult time (an illness, a job search, an important exam) or to give thanks for a request fulfilled. It is also a very special gift for families with Mexican roots or for a Guadalupe.
Discover our Saint Jude Thaddeus and Our Lady of Guadalupe medals, handmade in Spain.
And if you are undecided between several, in our Saint Jude Thaddeus medal guide we tell you when to give it and how to choose it.
Khartes Medals
The most beautiful medals are at Khartes
Saint Jude Thaddeus medal with natural pearl€69I want itSaint Jude Thaddeus medal with rubies and sapphires€69I want itSaint Jude Thaddeus and Our Lady of Guadalupe medal with lapis lazuli€65I want it
Handcrafted in Spain · Free shipping from €65