Candle of Saint Jude Thaddeus
Faith in difficult causes, courage in times of need, and the support of the apostle of hope
Candle of Saint Jude Thaddeus
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
The Saint Jude Thaddeus candle is the candle for those who have already tried everything and do not want to give up. Jude Thaddeus is the saint of difficult causes, and in Brazil, devotion fills churches and sanctuaries on the 28th of every month, with lines of people carrying candles, flowers, and prayer notes. The green candle on top and white on the bottom brings the color of the mantle with which he appears in images and the white of simple prayer.
He was one of the twelve apostles, author of a short letter in the New Testament that asks Christians not to let go of their faith. According to tradition, he died in Persia, and therefore appears with the axe or the club of martyrdom, the flame of Pentecost over his head, and the medallion with the face of Christ on his chest. For centuries, almost no one prayed to him, for fear of confusing the name with that of Judas Iscariot, and only those at their limit resorted to him. From there came the fame.
At home, this candle does not perform miracles on demand nor does it solve things in place of the one who asks. It accompanies the novena, the job interview, the debt negotiation, and the wait in the hospital. It is a candle of perseverance: it asks for strength to do your part and faith to endure the time of the response.
What is it for
What is the Saint Jude Thaddeus Candle for
The Saint Jude Thaddeus candle joins the green of the apostle's mantle with the white of the novena candle. It is lit in causes that seem to have no way out: unemployment, debt, serious illness in the family, a process that is not moving, and to give thanks on October 28.
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Do not give up on a difficult cause
When everyone says there is no way, the candle of Saint Jude asks for faith to keep trying. Light it and write down the cause on a piece of paper so you do not lose focus.
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Strength to find work
For those who have been looking for a job for months and are tired of sending resumes. Light it before interviews and ask for spirit to not give in to discouragement.
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Get out of the squeeze of debts
The candle accompanies the renegotiation, the cutting of expenses, and the prayer request for help. Ask for clarity to organize the accounts and courage to talk to those you owe.
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Support in serious illness in the family
Saint Jude is also remembered as the patron of hospitals. Light it for those who are hospitalized, asking for good care from the medical team and strength for the family.
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A legal cause that is not moving
Stalled process, stuck retirement, endless paperwork. The candle does not decide anything, but it helps maintain patience while you follow through with the lawyer and the deadlines.
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Give thanks on October 28
Those who reached grace usually return on the day of Saint Jude with a candle, flower, and testimony. It is the way to fulfill the promise and tell others that it is worth having faith.
To whom it is dedicated
Devotion to Saint Jude Thaddeus
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Saint Jude Thaddeus
The apostle of difficult causes
Apostle of Jesus, martyred according to tradition in Persia. He remained forgotten for centuries because of the name shared with the traitor, and those who turned to him were those who had no one else left to ask. The green of the candle comes from the mantle, a sign of hope.
Also lit by
- Devotees of Saint Jude Thaddeus
- Pilgrims of the 28th
- Brotherhoods of Saint Jude
Prayer to light
Candle prayer of Saint Jude Thaddeus for the difficult cause
“Saint Jude Thaddeus, apostle whom so many people stopped calling because of the name, and who even so never turned his back on those who asked, I come to you with this cause that weighs too much. I have already knocked on many doors and some did not open. I light this green and white light and place in your hands what no longer depends on me. For what does depend, give me strength to do: to get up early, to insist, to ask for help without shame. May the flame over your head also light my courage, and may I know how to wait without losing faith. If the answer comes different from what I want, give me serenity to understand. Long live Saint Jude Thaddeus! Amen.”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to consecrate the Candle of Saint Jude Thaddeus
- 1
Write the cause on a piece of paper
Before everything, write in your own words what the prayer request is. Putting it on paper helps to clearly state what you want and what you have already done to achieve it.
- 2
Prepare a safe place
Place the saucer on a firm surface, away from curtains and loose paper. Fold the note and leave it next to the saucer, never under the candle, so it does not catch fire.
- 3
Light and say the prayer
Light with a match, offer the candle to Saint Jude Thaddeus and pray the prayer on this page. Many devotees complete it with an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be.
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Pray every day of the novena
If you chose to do a novena, return to the same place for nine consecutive days, preferably at the same time. The 7-day candle covers almost the entire time; the taper candle completes it.
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Finish without blowing and give thanks
Let the candle burn out on its own or smother it with a lid if you need to leave. The leftover wax should be wrapped for the trash, and you keep the note until the grace arrives.
Precautions before lighting
- Never place the prayer request note under or touching the candle: paper catches fire quickly. Leave it next to it, on the saucer or in a drawer.
- Faith does not replace action. Continue looking for a job, negotiating the debt and following up with the lawyer. The candle is company, not a shortcut.
- In serious illness, the candle accompanies the treatment and never replaces the doctor. Follow the health team and use faith as support for the family.
- Saint Jude does not have a fixed orixá (orisha) in Umbanda. If you are from a terreiro and want to know if your house works with the saint, the zelador is the one who provides guidance.
Ceromancy
What the flame of the Saint Jude Thaddeus candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
High and constant flame
Many devotees read this as a prayer request received with strength. It is the message to keep fighting for the cause, with the same faith as the first day of the novena.
- Observe
Flame that oscillates and grows
It could be a draft of air or a long wick. Some read it as a cause in motion. Trim the wick, close the window, and continue the prayer without haste.
- Attention
Weak flame, almost disappearing
Some houses read this as discouragement from the one who made the request. Rest, ask for help from someone you trust, and light it again when you feel more whole.
- Attention
A lot of black smoke in the cup
First, check the quality of the candle and the size of the wick. If the sign repeats, clean the environment and seek to talk with the priest or someone from your faith.
- Good sign
Candle that ends without leftovers
Wax completely consumed is usually read as complete delivery. Keep the note with care and return on the next 28th to renew the request or to give thanks.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that combine with the Saint Jude Thaddeus candle
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Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
A sprig of rosemary next to the candle brings spirit to those who are tired of fighting. A rosemary ritual bath is also good before an important interview.
See the herb -
bay leaf
Laurus nobilis
Bay leaves next to the prayer request note remind of victory after effort. Many devotees keep a leaf in their wallet during the novena.
See the herb -
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Basil perfumes the corner of devotion and helps calm the house on tight days. Leave a small pot near the statue of the saint.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Saint Jude Thaddeus Candle now
Choose the type, write your request, and pay by PIX. The flame stays on the altar and you follow along through the link.
Place on the altarFrequently asked questions
Questions about the Saint Jude Thaddeus Candle
What is the Saint Jude Thaddeus candle for?
It serves to ask for strength and faith in difficult causes: unemployment, debt, serious illness in the family, a stalled process. It is a candle of perseverance, lit by those who do not want to give up, and also to thank for the grace received on October 28.
What is the day of Saint Jude Thaddeus and when to light the candle?
His day is October 28, and many devotees also pray on the 28th of each month. Other than that, light it at the beginning of a novena or when the cause gets tight. There is no fixed day of the week in the tradition.
Why is the Saint Jude Thaddeus candle green and white?
The green comes from the mantle with which he appears in statues and is read as hope. White is the most common novena candle color in Brazil. Many people light only the white candle with the saint's label, and both forms are accepted.
What is the difference between Saint Jude Thaddeus and Saint Expedito?
Saint Jude is sought in difficult causes that require perseverance and time. Saint Expeditus is the saint of urgent causes that need a quick response. Many devotees pray to both, each for their specific type of hardship.
Can I blow out the candle of Saint Jude and light it again?
You can, if you need to leave or sleep safely. Do not blow: smother the flame with a lid or a saucer and light it again later, resuming the prayer. Ideally, the candle should finish on its own, along with the novena.
What to do with the leftover wax and with the prayer request note?
The leftover wax should be wrapped in paper for the common trash. You can keep the note until the grace arrives and then burn it carefully on a saucer, or take it to church on the 28th as a thank you.
Can I light the candle of Saint Jude Thaddeus at home without being Catholic?
You can. The devotion to Saint Jude is open to anyone who asks with respect. Many people from Umbanda and other faiths light his candle at home. What matters is the sincerity of the prayer request and the care with the fire.
