Papal Reflection on the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude

On October 28, 2026, the Catholic Church commemorates the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude. In a reflection on the Gospel, it is emphasized that prayer is fundamental in the relationship between Jesus and his disciples. This is particularly evident in the selection of the apostles, which is placed in the context of prayer. The Gospel of Luke states that Jesus went to the mountain to pray and spent the night in prayer to God.

When daybreak came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he designated as apostles. This choice seems to have been based solely on the conversation between Jesus and the Father, without any other criteria. Despite the later actions of the apostles, including their abandonment of Jesus at the time of his suffering, their names remain inscribed in God's plan.