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When someone in the family is ill, sometimes we don’t even know what to say. If you’ve come here looking for a prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus for the health of a family member, here are some simple words to pray for that person, on your own or as a family, along with an idea for supporting them.
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Why people pray to St. Jude Thaddeus for someone who is ill
St. Jude Thaddeus was one of the twelve apostles, and tradition invokes him as the patron saint of difficult and desperate causes. That is why many people turn to him when faced with a frightening diagnosis, an operation, or a long illness.
We don’t ask a saint to heal someone on his own, but to intercede: to present what worries us to God, together with us. No formulas can guarantee anything: prayer sustains us and connects us with the person who is suffering.
Three prayers to St. Jude Thaddeus for the health of a family member
These are our own prayers, written for this moment. Change whatever you like and add the name of the person you’re praying for: what matters is that the words come from the heart.
Prayer for an ill family member (our version)
St. Jude Thaddeus, apostle and faithful friend of Jesus,
today I come to you with a heavy heart.
I pray for (name), who is ill.
Present their pain and weariness to the Lord,
and ask Him to grant them relief, strength and, if it is God’s will, good health.
Guide the hands and minds of those who care for and tend to them.
And grant us, their family, patience, unity, and hope.
Amen.
A short prayer to say as a family (our version)
To pray together, at home or by their bedside, even if only for a minute:
St. Jude Thaddeus, we entrust (name) to you.
Be with them during this difficult time
and help us hold on to our faith.
Virgin of Guadalupe, our Mother, cover them with your mantle.
Amen.
Prayer for caregivers (our version)
Those who care for someone who is ill also need people to pray for them:
St. Jude Thaddeus, I pray for all of us who care for (name):
their family, doctors, nurses, and caregivers.
Give us tenderness when we are tired
and serenity when we are afraid.
May they never feel alone.
Amen.
If what you’re going through is particularly difficult, you can also pray the traditional prayer to St. Jude for difficult and desperate cases, which we share in our guide to the prayer and novena to St. Jude Thaddeus.
How to pray it
- On your own. Find a quiet moment, make the sign of the cross, say the name of the person you’re praying for and, at the end, say an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be.
- As a family. You can say the short prayer together, including with the children or by the ill person’s bedside if they wish.
- During the novena. The novena to St. Jude Thaddeus is prayed from October 19 to 27, before his feast day on the 28th. You can add these prayers each day: we’ve prepared it for you in our day-by-day novena to St. Jude Thaddeus.
- Any day. Illness doesn’t wait until October: pray these prayers whenever you need to, or on the 28th of each month, when popular tradition remembers him.
If the ill person wishes, the Church also offers the sacrament of the anointing of the sick: simply speak to the parish or the hospital chaplain.
Prayer supports but does not replace medical care
We say this with all our love: prayer does not replace medical care. Follow the doctors’ instructions. The Church itself teaches that life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God and that we must care for them.
Keeping St. Jude close and supporting someone who is ill
A medal is not a talisman and does not promise to heal anyone. It is a reminder of faith worn close to the heart, a way to carry devotion to St. Jude with you always and remember to pray for someone you love.
It is also a lovely way to support someone who is ill. Giving them a St. Jude medal is a way of saying they are not alone. We’ll send it gift-wrapped with a free handwritten card bearing the message you enter on the product page. A simple phrase is enough to let them know we’re praying for them: “So you know we’re praying for you.” Find more ideas in our messages to include when giving a St. Jude Thaddeus medal.
All our St. Jude medals are double-sided: on the reverse is the Virgin of Guadalupe, who, according to tradition, appeared to Saint Juan Diego in 1531 on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico.
Our St. Jude Thaddeus medals
We design them ourselves, and they are handcrafted in Spain by the artisans and enamelers we work with. They come with a 40 + 5 cm gold-plated chain, also made in Spain, and arrive within 24–72 hours, with free shipping to mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands on orders over €65.
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A medal to support someone who is ill
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St. Jude Thaddeus and Virgin of Guadalupe medal with amazonite€69I want itSt. Jude Thaddeus medal with rubies and sapphires€69I want it
With the Virgin of Guadalupe on the reverse · Handmade in Spain · Free handwritten card · Free shipping on orders over €65
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More St. Jude Thaddeus medals
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With the Virgin of Guadalupe on the reverse · Handmade in Spain · Free handwritten card · Free shipping on orders over €65
Frequently asked questions
Can I pray to St. Jude Thaddeus for someone else’s health?
Yes. Praying for others is one of the oldest forms of prayer. You can ask for his intercession for your mother, father, partner, child, or anyone you love, saying their name and what they need.
When should I pray for an ill family member?
Any day. If you’d like a special time, you can pray during the novena, from October 19 to 27, on his feast day, October 28, or on the 28th of each month.
Does prayer replace medical treatment?
No. Prayer supports but does not replace medical care: follow the doctors’ instructions. The Church itself teaches that health is something we must care for.
Why does the St. Jude medal feature the Virgin of Guadalupe?
These two devotions are closely connected, especially in Mexico. All our St. Jude Thaddeus medals are double-sided: St. Jude on one side and the Virgin of Guadalupe on the other.
Facts you can verify
- St. Jude Thaddeus was one of the twelve apostles; his liturgical feast day is October 28. Source
- The traditional prayer invokes him as the patron saint of difficult and desperate cases; it is included in the ACI Prensa novena, prayed in the days leading up to his feast day. Source
- “Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2288). Source
- The anointing of the sick is a sacrament of the Church (Catechism, nos. 1499–1532, citing James 5:14–15). Source
- According to tradition, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Saint Juan Diego at Tepeyac in 1531; her feast day is December 12. Source
The most beautiful medals in the world are at Khartes.
Marian and Bárbara