St. Jude Thaddeus, or Labbaeus, is the patron saint of the hopeless with his feast day falling on October 28th. Many know him as the forgotten saint, as his name was almost forgotten in history, however, the Epistle of Jude is attributed to him, although many would disagree.
             Not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, St. Jude was a loyal servant to the Lord, traveling about the known world spreading Christianity. Because of this confusion, St. Jude is almost always identified with one of his two second names, Thaddeus or Labbaeus. Another name is Judas not Iscariot.
             From the Gospel we are told that St. Jude was the brother to another Apostle, St. James the Less. These two, as well as St. Simeon and another are said to be the brethren of Jesus, meaning that they have a close relationship. It is derived from Tradition that Cleophas, St. Jude's father, and St. Joseph were possibly brothers. And/or that Mary Cleophas and the Virgin Mary were cousins. Some suggest that they might have been sisters, but it is highly unlikely that anyone would name two daughters by the same name. There are other theories about St. Jude's relationship with the holy family from him being a stepbrother of Jesus, to St. Joseph's "other family."
             While relatively little is said of him in the Bible, it does say that on the night of the last supper, the Gospel says that St. Jude was the one who asked Jesus why he would not manifest himself to the whole world after his resurrection. Beyond the Decent of the Holy Spirit little is known of the particulars of his life.
             There are a few stories attributed to him. One is of a King Abagaro from Edessa. The story goes that King Abagaro was a leper, and upon hearing of Jesus' miracle healings, asked him to come and heal his leprosy. Jesus, busy with his ministry, but impressed with the faith of the King, sent St. Jude with a cloth that held an impression from the face of Jesus
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