Hello all, Happy feast day to all born, baptized and married today Happy feast day to all Deacons, Seminarians, Priests, Cardinals, Bishops, Monks, Nuns, Religious Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus. Happy feast day to all named James and Parents of all named James Happy feast day to all Catholic Missionaries Happy feast day to all Martyrs Today (25th of July) marks the liturgical memorial of Saint James the Apostle He is popularly known among the apostles as Saint James the Greater The name Saint James the greater, distinguishes him from Saint James the lesser (whose feast was celebrated on the 3rd of May) Saint James the Greater (whose feast we celebrate today) was born 1st century in Bethsaida, Galilee He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of Saint John the Apostle. He is often referred to as James, son of Zebedee was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was a fisherman by profession and apparently a disciple of Saint John the Baptist. Catholic Tradition teaches that Saint James left everything when Christ called him to be a fisher of men Saint James the greater, is described as one of the first disciples to join Jesus He is also called Saint James the Greater to distinguish him from Saint James, son of Alphaeus, who is also known as Saint James the Lesser (also an Apostle of Christ). Saint James is called the Greater simply because he became an Apostle before Saint James the Lesser ---------------------------------------------------------- Saint Matthew tells us in his Gospel, that the mother of Saints James and John came forward with her children to make a request to Jesus asking him to promise that they both be allowed to sit on his right and on his left in his Heavenly Kingdom…. We are told that it was from this request that our Lord Jesus Christ taught his apostles that whoever wishes to be first, must be that last, whoever wants to be great amongst you must be your slave, Just as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve…. From the gospel of Matthew (Chapter 20: 20-28) ------------------------------------------------------------ Saint James was also present during most of the recorded miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ. But even among the apostles James held a special place. When Jesus raised Jairus daughter when every thought that she dead, Jesus only allowed James, John, and Peter to come with him. Saint James the greater was amongst the inner circle of our Lord, as we could read in the gospels…our Lord always called Peter, James and John to accompany him. He was one of only three apostles whom our Lord Jesus Christ selected to bear witness to his Transfiguration. We are told in the gospels that when our Lord Jesus Christ went up to the mountain to pray, he wanted James, John, and Peter to go with him. And it was there on the mountain they were privileged to witness what no one else had seen -- Jesus transfigured in his glory, speaking to Moses and Elijah, as the voice of God spoke from a cloud. He preached in Samaria, Judea, and Spain. Saint James died 44 AD in Jerusalem He was martyred with a sword by King Herod Agrippa, history tells us that he was beheaded Saint James was the first Apostle to be martyred. He is the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament. He is, thus, traditionally believed to be the first of the 12 apostles martyred for his faith. (Acts 12: 1-2) The pilgrimage to his relics in Compostella became such a popular devotion that the symbols of pilgrims have become his emblems, and he became patron of pilgrims. His work in Spain, and the housing of his relics there, led to his patronage of the country and all things Spanish; for centuries, the Spanish army rode to battle with the cry Santiago! (Saint James!) Saint James is the patron Saint of Spain and Chile He is also the patron saint of Veterinarians and pharmacists He is invoked against arthritis and all those suffering from arthritis He is the patron saint of blacksmiths and druggists He is the patron saint of equestrians and furriers He is the patron saint of Guatemala He is the patron saint horsemen and knights He is the patron saint laborers and pilgrims He is the patron saint of rheumatoid sufferers He is the patron saint of riders and soldiers The feast day of Saint James is celebrated on the 25th of July in the liturgical calendars of the Roman Catholic Church --------------------------------------------------- Let us pray (oremus) O glorious Apostle, Saint James, who by reason of thy fervent and generous heart, was chosen by Jesus to be witness of His glory on Mount Tabor, and of His agony in Gethsemane. Thou, whose very name symbolizes warfare and victory, obtain for us strength and consolation; that having constantly and generously followed Jesus, we may be victors in the strife and deserve to receive the victors crown in heaven. Amen Let us pray that by the works, spiritual direction, spiritual maturity, intercession and martyrdom of Saint James we may in this group find the spiritual motivation to win our souls for God. Amen May we all in this group and beyond this group, Christians and non Christians alike, Catholics and non Catholics alike, be saved from the fires of hell and lifted up into heaven after our stay here on this exile. Amen May our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Saint James and other Saints and martyrs before and after him and through Gods Divine Mercy strengthen our souls, open out the way for us all, and above all, intoxicate us with HIS love. Amen May Christ make us into blazing fires to enkindle the earth with the heavenly fire HE brought us. Amen Summary of the life history of Saint James can be viewed by clicking the photo of the saint in our groups photo section Saint of the day, would be communicated to you as promptly and consistently as humanly possible, by Gods grace. Jesus we love you, all we have is yours, yours we are and yours we want to be, please do with us whatever you will. Amen Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we give you our lives and our salvation. Amen Jesus, Mary we love you, please save our souls. Amen God bless you and grant your heart’s desire. Amen Saint James the greater, pray for us. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 16:55:39 +0000
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