Patrons of Lost Causes and the Zealous

The Catholic Church honors two apostles, Simon and Jude, about whom we know very little.  St. Jude, however, is very popular as the patron of hopeless, or impossible situations.  Novenas, statues and prayers to St. Jude abound, and a famous children's hospital is name after him (thanks to the actor, Danny Thomas, who prayed to the saint when he was in desperate need of work.  His prayer was answered and he then donated heavily to the hospital and worked for its growth.)  St. Jude is often confused with the author of the Epistle of St. Jude, which was written by a nephew of Mary and Joseph; the name Thaddeus is added to his first name to distinguish him from the betrayer, Judas Iscariot.
Simon is called the Zealot to distinguish him from Simon-Peter and, according to legend, preached in Mesopotamia where he was martyred.  He might have belonged to the Zealots, a group advocating for the overthrow of Roman Rule in Palestine at the time of Jesus.
In dedicating this Feast in their honor, the Church reminds us of our mission to carry on the spread of the faith with conviction, zeal and confidence.  Nothing is impossible with God
Bro. Rene