Morning Prayer: Feast Day of St. James the Apostle: Who He Was, and Why the Church Honors Him

 

St. James the Apostle—often called James the Greater—is one of those figures who quietly anchors the early Christian story. He doesn’t have the dramatic arc of Paul or the contemplative voice of John, yet his life marks a turning point in how the young Church understood witness, courage, and the cost of discipleship.

Who St. James Was

James was the son of Zebedee and the brother of John. The two of them were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee until Jesus walked by and called them. The Gospels describe James as part of Jesus’ inner circle—present at the Transfiguration, at the raising of Jairus’s daughter, and in the Garden of Gethsemane. He wasn’t just one of the Twelve; he was one of the three Jesus brought closest.

His personality comes through in flashes. Jesus nicknamed James and John Boanerges, “sons of thunder,” which tells you something about their temperament—bold, intense, maybe a little fiery. They were not quiet disciples. They were passionate ones.

His Martyrdom

James is also remembered as the first apostle to be martyred. According to the Acts of the Apostles, King Herod Agrippa I executed him by the sword around 44 AD. His death marked the beginning of official persecution of the Christian movement. In the early Church, martyrdom wasn’t just a tragic end; it was seen as the ultimate act of witness—literally martyria, testimony.

James’s willingness to die for the faith became part of the Church’s collective memory of courage.

Why He Has a Feast Day

The Church gives feast days to people whose lives reveal something essential about Christian identity. James’s feast day—July 25—honors:

  • His closeness to Jesus, as one of the three apostles who saw Christ’s glory firsthand.

  • His leadership in the early Church, especially in the years immediately following the Resurrection.

  • His martyrdom, which set a precedent for apostolic witness.

  • His legacy of pilgrimage, especially the Camino de Santiago, which grew around the tradition that his remains were carried to Spain. For more than a thousand years, pilgrims have walked across Europe to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, seeking renewal, healing, or spiritual clarity.

A feast day is not just a memorial. It’s a reminder: this person’s life still speaks. James’s feast invites reflection on courage, calling, and the willingness to follow Christ even when the path is steep.

A Closing Thought

James’s story is not long, but it is weighty. He was a fisherman who became a witness, a friend who became a martyr, and a disciple whose journey continues to shape the spiritual journeys of millions. His feast day is a pause in the calendar to remember that faith is not merely believed—it is lived.

Read more Morning Prayer posts: MSI Press Blog

Note about Morning Prayer: Each morning prayer post reflects on one phrase from the Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. which can be found in the iBreviary (a downloadable app), Universalis (website) or Divine Office (publication and website).

post may be assisted by AI in image generation and content (research and wording)


Morning Prayer posts inspired by Being Catholic in Troubled Times (Dennis Ortman)


Book Description:

These are times that try our souls. This book is addressed to all, not just Catholics, who search for deeper meaning in tough times. Our age is marked by division and alienation. We long for some message that will bring peace to our world and our hearts.

This book suggests that the Catholic faith can provide strength in these troubled times. The word "catholic" means "all-embracing, universal." Nothing is excluded in the catholic mind. The truth that sets us free can be found everywhere, especially in unexpected places. It is often hidden in plain sight. In our darkest moments, we find new light and life. When we are most despairing, a ray of hope shines through.



Dr. Dennis Ortman, former priest and current psychologist, is the author of Anger Anonymous, Anxiety Anonymous, Depression Anonymous, Being Catholic in Troubled Times, and Life, Liberty, and COVID-19.


For more posts by and about Dennis and his award-winning books, click HERE.



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