Saint Simon the Zealot

Who is he?

Saint Simon is one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. People usually call him Simon the Zealot, to tell him apart from Saint Simon Peter. The Church celebrates him on the same day as Saint Jude Thaddeus.

Life story

In the list of the Twelve Apostles, Luke’s Gospel calls him “Simon who was called the Zealot” (Lk 6:15). That nickname suggests that before he met Jesus, he may have been a very eager man, full of zeal for the law and for his people. The Bible does not say more.

The Bible also does not record a single word or deed of his own. But we know that Jesus chose him, and that he lived with Jesus, listened to his teaching, and saw him heal the sick and work many miracles. He met the risen Lord. After Jesus went up to heaven, he and the other Apostles, with Mary, prayed together with one heart, waiting for the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:13-14).

We can imagine it: an eager man like him, by following Jesus, learned that true strength is not in swords and spears, but in love. His zeal became zeal for the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of justice, peace and love.

According to tradition, he and Saint Jude Thaddeus went to preach the Gospel in faraway lands like Persia, and were martyred there. Pictures and statues often show him holding a saw, a sign of his martyrdom according to tradition. Today, the relics of the two saints are venerated in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Why is he a saint?

Saint Simon was not famous, and he left no words in the Bible. But he stayed with the Lord all his life, faithfully served the Gospel and dared to give his life for Jesus. His holiness was quiet faithfulness.

A lesson for you

• You don’t need to be praised or to stand out to do good: help quietly, like tidying the classroom or helping younger children.
• Put the energy of your young years into good things: studying hard, helping people, serving your parish.
• Be faithful in going to Mass and catechism, even when no one reminds you.