Israel Risquet, a priest of the Archdiocese of Seville, Spain, shares this article with Exaudi readers about Saints Simon and Jude Thaddeus to help you learn more about these apostles. Since Christ sent them two by two, they went together to fulfill the mission, which is why they are celebrated on the same day.

The morning dawned very cool, and things were tight at home, so I set out to walk from my house to the Cathedral, about half an hour from my neighborhood, Los Pajaritos, at a brisk pace or “paso de mudá,” as we say in Seville.

I wasn’t even in the seminary yet. At that time, the good Father Ángel, canon prefect for the liturgy, called me to be an altar boy, an acolyte, at some celebrations.

It was the Feast of Saint Jude Thaddeus, an important day for popular religious devotion, so many faithful attended. I seem to recall assisting at several Masses with other acolytes. At the end, Father Ángel gave us a generous tip.

I was about to head home, but I decided to treat myself to a stroll through the “Center” of my beloved city. I was thinking about what I would spend that money on, and many options came to mind. Once I reached Plaza Nueva, in front of City Hall, there was a Chapel of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; I made a move to enter, and then… I noticed a poor man begging at the door… I hesitated, but finally gave him my much-appreciated tip. I greeted the Lord and walked home, happier than a clam.

Since Christ sent them two by two, they went together to fulfill the mission, which is why Saint Simon and Saint Jude Thaddeus are celebrated on the same day. Tradition also tells us that they always went together in their rich apostolate. In fact, Saint Simon appears in the Gospel lists alongside Saint Jude Thaddeus; the Latin liturgy celebrates both apostles together on October 28.

We know that Saint Simon was one of the Twelve Apostles; he is called “the Canaanite” and “the Zealot.” He is also often identified with Simeon, a relative of Jesus Christ, which is unlikely. “The Canaanite” and “the Zealot” derive from his zeal for the Jewish religion, as he does not appear to have belonged to the nationalist group of the same name.

Nothing is known about where he proclaimed the Gospel. Tradition tells us that he preached in Samaria, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia, where he was allegedly martyred, crucified, or sawn to death, as he is often depicted. His body is in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Of Saint Jude Thaddeus, also known as Judas of James, surely to differentiate him from the traitor Judas, we know an evangelical episode in the Gospel of Saint John: during the Last Supper, Judas Thaddeus asks him: “Lord, what is happening that you are going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” It seems that Thaddeus was thinking of a great visible manifestation, while Christ was speaking of Faith.

Jude is credited with writing the last of the so-called “Apostolic Letters” of the New Testament. Some scholars reject this claim because he presents himself not as an Apostle, but rather as a “servant of Jesus Christ.”

The Letter is very brief and is a call to vigilance for those who question the Faith. It is a writing full of wisdom and reminds Christians that they are called to eternal life. The intended audience could be members of a Jewish-Christian community, given its constant allusions to the Old Testament and Jewish traditions.

Tradition tells that Judas Thaddeus preached in Palestine, Arabia, Syria, Mesopotamia and Edessa, where he was martyred (other traditions speak of Persia).

His relics are venerated in France: in Toulouse and Reims.

Both apostles are almost always depicted together: Saint Simon with a saw, and Saint Jude with a mace and a book.

“O God, who has granted us to come to the knowledge of your name through the holy apostles, we pray that, through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude, the Church may continue to grow by the increase of the peoples who believe in you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

A Big Hug in Christ and my Blessing +.