Cathedral History

What is a Cathedral?

The word Cathedral derives from the Greek word kathedra, meaning “chair.” The Chair of the diocesan bishop is the seat from which he guides the life of the Church in a particular geographical region known as a diocese. This Chair is a symbol of his authority to teach, sanctify, and govern the people of Christ. The church in which this Chair is housed is consequently known as a Cathedral church… the bishop’s own parish church.

Our History

The Most Rev. Daniel J. Gercke, Bishop of Tucson, established Ss. Simon & Jude parish in 1953. The founding pastor was Fr. Paul Smith, a native of Ireland. With Fr. Smith arrived the Loreto Sisters (Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary), who would staff the parish school. As the parish grew and grew in the 1950s and early 1960s, the need for a larger parish church also grew. Construction on the current church began in 1965, and the 1200-seat church was dedicated by the
Most Rev. Francis Green, Bishop of Tucson, in December 1966. On December 2nd, 1969, His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, raised Ss. Simon & Jude to the status of Cathedral as the new diocese of Phoenix was established.

Ss. Simon & Jude has welcomed visiting dignitaries (governors of Arizona), celebrated solemn funerals (Bishop Rausch, May 24, 1981), and has been graced by the visit of Pope John Paul II on September 14th, 1987. In May 1989, the Blessed Theresa of Calcutta, better known simply as “Mother Theresa,” visited the Cathedral as her community of sisters began their service to the poor and homeless of inner city Phoenix.

The wave of immigration from Latin America has affected the demographic make-up of the Cathedral parish, and shows every sign of continuing. Our Cathedral parish school continues to be a trend-setter in Catholic education, and has embarked on an extensive campaign of development this year. We look forward to the challenges of the future with every confidence in God’s Providence and the good will of our parishioners!

Our Patrons

Saint Simon

The name of Saint Simon usually appears eleventh in the list of the Apostles. Born at Cana in Galilee – the site of the Lord’s miracle at a wedding feast – St. Simon was surnamed “the Zealot,” probably due to his affiliation with a Jewish reform group. Following the Lord’s Resurrection, he preached the Gospel and initiated the life of the Church in Persia (modern day Iran) and Asia Minor (Turkey). He was martyred sometime in the mid-first century, and is often depicted with the instrument of his martyrdom – a saw.
St. Simon’s relics are now housed at the Vatican along with those of St. Jude. St. Simon is especially called upon when we face difficulty and contempt for our religious beliefs or the practice of our religion.

Saint Jude

Saint Jude, also called “Thaddeus,” was the Apostle who asked the Lord at the Passover Supper the night before His Death why He had manifested Himself only to His disciples and not to the whole world (John 14:22). Saint Jude is also the Apostle who authored the epistle contained in the New Testament, encouraging the early Church in the face of adversity. St. Jude preached the Gospel along with St. Simon in Persia. St. Jude was renowned for his effective preaching and refutation of the enemies of the Church, in casting out demons, and in converting the Zoroastrian king. St. Jude was martyred by being run-through with a spear, and his relics are housed at the Vatican. St. Jude is known around the world as the patron of causes despaired of… when everything seems hopeless, his prayers are often sought.

Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral celebrates Mass each Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. followed by devotions and Novena prayers asking St. Jude’s intercession for impossible cases.

Novena to St. Jude
Saint Jude
Desperate Situations and Hopeless Cases

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.

Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly – (make your request here) – and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

PRAYER

May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the tabernacles until the end of time. Amen.

May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen

St. Jude pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen.

Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Blessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all Eternity.
(say this prayer, followed by the Our Father and the Hail Mary)

Dear Apostle and Martyr for Christ, you left us an Epistle in the New Testament. With good reason many invoke you when illness is at a desperate stage. We now recommend to your kindness {name of patient} who is in a critical condition. May the cure of this patient increase his/her faith and love for the Lord of Life, for the glory of our merciful God. Amen.