S aint James the Greater, our Parish Patron
James was the son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of Saint John the Apostle, and may have been Jesus’ cousin. He is called “the Greater” either because he became an Apostle before Saint James the Lesser, because he was taller/bigger than Saint James the Lesser or because he was older than Saint James Lesser. He was a disciple of Saint John the Baptist and a fisherman by trade. He left everything when Christ called him to be a fisher of men. James was present during most of the recorded miracles of Christ. He preached in Samaria, Judea, and Spain and was the first Apostle to be martyred. His feast day is July 25.
Prayer to Saint James the Greater
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity Jesus chose you to witness his glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden. Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life. Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in heaven. Amen.
