St Jude Pendants and Images
The Meaning of the Flame and Club

Just the other day looking at several St Jude pendants and his image in the St. Jude novena, I had a chance to carefully observe the details that make St. Jude so recognized.

I did this because one of my readers Jo Ann Muetterties wrote to literally ask me: "Please tell me what the significance is of the "flame" over St. Jude's head. I can't find any reference to it. I know the "club" in his hands is because he is said to have been beaten to death."

I went immediately to my novena, which has an image of St. Jude, and carefully analyzed it. Yes, St. Jude has a club in his hands and a flame in his head. He also appears in many others with a palm branch, an axe or a scroll or book in the other hand.

The club, axe and palm branch represent his martyrdom. One can only imagine how terrible was his suffering when he was beaten by a crowd about 65AD in Beirut, in the town of Lebanon along with the apostle Simon.

The book or scroll are simply his epistle. Other images show the apostle carrying an image of Jesus symbolizing his relationship with him. Many sources say they were cousins while others refer to them as being blood relatives.

The flame on his head depicts his receiving of the Holy Spirit or Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came to the apostles "en lenguas de fuego" over their heads giving them the strength, knowledge and wisdom to teach the Christian faith.

If you have a chance, visit St. Peter's Church in Rome where the remains of both apostles are. St. Jude's remains are in the south transept of the basilica. There are 3 altars, and underneath the main altar dedicated to St. Joseph lie the remains of St. Jude Thaddeus. It is an experience you can never forget.

St. Jude Pendants

The images of St. Jude in pendants vary and mostly show his face or a full size image carrying a club and a book on the other hand.

It is pretty commun amongst Christians, not only Roman Catholic, to wear a St. Jude pendant either because the person loves this saint or simply becuase he is the recipient of a St. Jude's miracle.

It is common for many people who pray to St Jude to have several St Jude pendants. I, for example own two. My parents gave me one and the other I purchased it a while ago. One is silver and the other one is gold.

If you are interested in praying the St. Jude Novena make sure you read my article about it.