St. Jude (Fredericksburg) (Diocese of Arlington)

Saint Jude Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint Jude Thaddeus
Venerated Saints:	None specified
Diocese:	Diocese of Arlington
Deanery:	Deanery 6
Address:	9600 Caritas Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Coordinates:	38.2989, -77.4847
City:	Fredericksburg, VA
Subdivision:	Virginia
Country:	United States
County:	Spotsylvania County
Website:	https://stjudeparish.org/
Founded:	1973
School:	Yes
Email:	office@stjudeparish.org

Saint Jude Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint Jude Thaddeus, one of the Twelve Apostles, traditionally identified as author of the Epistle of Jude and venerated as patron of hopeless causes and desperate situations—the parish serves a growing community in southern Spotsylvania County. It operates Saint Jude Catholic School (pre-K through grade 8).

Established in 1973 to accommodate Catholic growth in the Fredericksburg area, the parish initially celebrated Masses in local facilities before dedicating its current church in 1991. As of December 21, 2025, Saint Jude offers daily Masses, Eucharistic adoration, and ministries emphasizing faith formation, family life, and charitable outreach.

The parish community honors its patron through special devotions for those in difficult circumstances.

History

Saint Jude Parish was established in 1973 by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh of the Diocese of Arlington to serve Catholics in the expanding Fredericksburg region.

Initial Masses were held in borrowed spaces. The current church was dedicated in 1991.

Growth has included school expansions and increased ministries.

School

Saint Jude Catholic School serves pre-K through grade 8, providing faith-integrated education.

The school supports the parish mission of formation and academic excellence.

Special features

• Devotion to Saint Jude as patron of hopeless causes, with special novenas and prayers
• Active family and youth ministries
• Commitment to community service

Relics

According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar, dedicated in 1991, contains deposited relics as is customary in consecrated churches. Specific details regarding the saints associated with these relics are not publicly documented in available sources. This follows common practice where first-class relics, often of martyrs, are sealed within the altar.

Architecture

The church building, dedicated in 1991, features contemporary design suited to suburban communal worship.

Art and devotional features

Specific details on stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, or other interior artwork are limited in publicly available sources. Devotional elements typically include representations of Saint Jude Thaddeus.