St Jude novena: nine days of prayer for hopeless causes
A nine-day prayer to Saint Jude for a desperate or long-standing need
Morning Prayer editorial team · Updated: November 2026
A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer, echoing the nine days the apostles spent in prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost. The St Jude novena is traditionally made for a desperate or long-standing need, often ending on his feast day, October 28. Pray the prayer below each day and add the intention for that day.
Let us pray
Glorious apostle Saint Jude, kinsman of the Lord and faithful servant of His Church, I come to you during these nine days with a need that has outgrown my strength. The Church calls you the patron of hopeless cases; I do not believe my case is hopeless to God, but I confess that it feels hopeless to me.
Hear my intention and present it to Jesus: (name your need). You preached His Gospel without counting the cost and died a martyr for His name. Ask Him now to look upon me with the same mercy He showed you, and to grant what is good for my soul and for those I love.
Give me, during this novena, three graces: patience to wait for God's timing, humility to accept His will even if it differs from mine, and gratitude for every small sign of His care. Keep my faith steady when nothing seems to change, and let me end these nine days closer to Christ than I began them.
Day 1: For the grace to trust God with this intention.
Day 2: For those who feel forgotten or alone.
Day 3: For healing of body, mind, or memory.
Day 4: For a family member who has drifted from the faith.
Day 5: For work, finances, and daily bread.
Day 6: For courage to forgive someone who hurt me.
Day 7: For the sick and dying, and those who care for them.
Day 8: For perseverance in prayer when answers are slow.
Day 9: In thanksgiving for every grace received, seen or unseen.
Saint Jude, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Blessing
May these nine days draw you nearer to the Lord who hears the desperate, and may Saint Jude walk every one of them beside you.
How to pray this prayer
- Find a quiet moment and breathe slowly.
- Read the prayer aloud or in your heart.
- Add your own intention before the Amen.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start the St Jude novena?
To finish on his feast, begin on October 19 and pray through October 28. But a novena can be started on any day of the year; what matters is nine consecutive days of prayer with the same intention.
What if I miss a day?
Simply pick up where you left off the next day. Some people prefer to start over, but there is no rule. God looks at the heart that keeps returning, not at a perfect calendar.
Why nine days?
After the Ascension, the apostles and Mary prayed together for nine days until the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. The novena imitates that persevering, expectant prayer.
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