St. Simon the Apostle: Feast Day, Patronage & Prayers
Updated: Oct 3
Feast day: October 28 (Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles)
Patron of: No widely recognized patronage; honored together with St. Jude.
About St. Simon the Apostle
St. Simon is one of the least known of the Twelve Apostles. The Gospels of Luke and Acts call him "Simon the Zealot," while Matthew and Mark call him "Simon the Cananean," which comes from an Aramaic word with the same meaning. The name distinguishes him from Simon Peter. It may mean that he had once belonged to the Zealots, a movement fiercely opposed to Roman rule, or simply that he was known for his burning zeal for the Law of God.
If so, Simon's call is a quiet sign of the unity Christ creates. The same group of Twelve included Matthew, a tax collector who worked for Rome, and Simon, a man zealous for Israel, and Jesus made them brothers. Scripture tells us nothing more of his life. Western tradition, followed by the Roman liturgy, holds that he preached with St. Jude in Persia and was martyred there, which is why the two apostles share a feast on October 28. Simon reminds us that many of God's most faithful servants are hidden, known fully only to Him.
Prayers to St. Simon the Apostle on Daily Catholic Prayers
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