St. Simon and St. Jude, Feast Day October 28

Icon painting written at Malling Abbey
Kent, England

Saints Simon and Jude are two of the twelve apostles selected by Jesus to carry His teachings and actions out to the world. The apostles were the first bishops of the Catholic Church.

Not too much is known about Simon. Both he and Jude were born in the first century A.D. or at the very end of the years before Christ's birth, B.C. Simon's name appears in the New Testament four times: Matt. 10, Mark 3, Luke 6, and Acts 1. He is called Simon the Zealot or Cananaean. Some think that means he is from Cana. St. Jerome thought that, but the word cananaean means zealous in Hebrew. Others thought he was of the Zealot Party, but Simon was zealous for the Hebrew Law not a member of the Zealot Party.  

It is not known where Simon preached the Gospel. There are many different early Christian traditions which claim he preached it in their region. We can not be certain. We do not know for sure where he died. It is said that he was martyred, and it may have been that he was cut in half with a saw. The saw is attributed to his martyrdom. His relics are said to be buried under the altar at St. Peter's in Vatican City.

There is a bit more known about St. Jude. It is believed that he was a cousin of Jesus and the brother of James the Lesser. His name appears four times in the list of Apostles along with St. Simon, Matt. 10,  Mark 3, Luke 6, and Acts. 1. He is the author of the Letter of Jude, an inspired, canonical writing in the New Testament. He preached the Gospel in Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia. It is not known where he met his death, but tradition suggests he was martyred possibly in Beriut. His relics are to be found under the altar at St. Peter's in Vatican City along with St. Simon

St. Jude is the patron of desperate cases and in that capacity is pictured with a medallion of Christ on his chest and a small flame of fire coming out of his head. St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bernardine of Siena had visions where God asked them to accept St. Jude as the saint of impossible cases. Many pilgrims praying to St. Jude have reported receiving numerous graces through his intercession.

Doublequick Dirges Cakes

This recipe is what many like to call "easy peasy"! It requires very little effort and it is tasty.  It is found in Ann Ball's book, Catholic Traditions in Cooking. She mentions these dirge cakes or what we call donuts as traditional food for the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude in England. Here is the recipe with directions for frying them.

INGREDIENTS                                                                EQUIPMENT

1 can refrigerated biscuits                                                 Pastry mat

Small amount flour for dusting                                         Large pot for frying

Oil for frying - vegetable, peanut, canola                        Slotted spoon

2 tsp. cinnamon                                                                Frying thermometer

1/2 cup sugar                                                                    Plate with paper towels

                                                                                          Rolling pin

DIRECTIONS: Heat oil to 365 degrees Fahrenheit

1. Lightly flour a pastry mat. 

2. Mix sugar and cinnamon and have it ready to sprinkle on the donuts when they are fried.

3. Open biscuits. Place each biscuit on mat. Flatten one at a time with a rolling pin. With your finger make a hole in the middle of each biscuit.

4. Be sure oil is 365 degrees. (This part of the recipe is not for young bakers. They can help with taking out biscuits and flattening with the rolling pin.)  The pan you use should be heavy duty. Pour in the oil between 3 to 4 inches high and heat to 365 degrees. If the oil gets too hot, lower the heat.

5. Carefully with a slotted spoon place the donut/biscuits one at a time in the hot oil. My pan held three donuts at a time. Fry on one side for about 90 - 120 seconds. Then turn and fry for 90 - 120 seconds. The donuts should be golden brown. Remove and let the excess oil drip back into the pan. Place donut on plate with paper towel to absorb oil. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Repeat with all biscuit/donuts.

ENJOY!

Children's Book on Saints Simon and Jude

Many of you know the author, Fr. Jude Winkler, O.F.M, Conv. He has written a great variety of books for children on the saints, sacraments, Catholic traditions, liturgical seasons, and more. This is one of his books on the apostles. Sts. Simon and Jude are included in this 32 page paperback. It is available on Amazon and in many Catholic bookstores.

PRAYER TO STS. SIMON AND JUDE

O God, who by the blessed Apostles

have brought us to acknowledge your name,

graciously grant,

through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude,

that the Church may constantly grow

by increase of the peoples who believe in you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

                                                         Happy Feast!