Saint James, son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve Apostles, known as "James the Greater," and was the first Apostle to be martyred, playing a significant role in the early formation of the community of believers and venerated as a patron of pilgrims.
Saint James, son of Zebedee, often referred to as James the Greater to distinguish him from other disciples named James, was one of the twelve chosen by Jesus and a member of the inner circle alongside Peter and John, witnessing pivotal moments such as the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. He dedicated his life to proclaiming the message of salvation, with tradition holding that he traveled to Hispania (modern-day Spain) to evangelize before returning to Jerusalem, where he was martyred by beheading under King Herod Agrippa I, becoming the first Apostle to shed his blood for his faith. His tomb in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world, influencing countless faithful and symbolizing perseverance in spiritual journey.
Saint James, son of Zebedee, known in Christian tradition as James the Greater to distinguish him from other apostles sharing the same name, was a pivotal figure in the earliest days of the Church. Hailing from Bethsaida in Galilee, he was a fisherman by trade, working alongside his father, Zebedee, and his younger brother, John. Their lives were irrevocably altered when Jesus of Nazareth walked along the Sea of Galilee and called out to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Without hesitation, James and John immediately left their boat and their father to follow Christ, demonstrating an extraordinary readiness to abandon their livelihood and family for the divine call. This swift and decisive response marked the beginning of a profound discipleship that would see James become one of the most significant witnesses to the Lord's earthly ministry and a foundational pillar of the nascent Christian community.
James's unwavering commitment earned him a place in Jesus's inner circle, a privileged group that included only Peter and his own brother, John. This exclusive trio was present at some of the most intimate and miraculous moments of Christ's life, witnessing events that deepened their understanding of His divine nature and mission. They were there when Jesus raised Jairus's daughter from the dead, a profound display of His power over life and death (Mark 5:37-43). They ascended Mount Tabor with Him, where they beheld the breathtaking Transfiguration, witnessing Jesus's divine glory alongside Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-8). Furthermore, they were the only disciples Jesus chose to accompany Him into the Garden of Gethsemane during His agonizing prayer before His Passion, sharing in His profound sorrow and witnessing His human struggle (Mark 14:33-34). These experiences forged an unparalleled bond between James and the Lord, shaping him into a zealous and devoted apostle.
Indeed, James and John were famously nicknamed "Boanerges" by Jesus Himself, meaning "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). This moniker likely reflected their intense zeal, fiery temperament, and perhaps a certain impetuousness. A notable instance of this fiery spirit occurred when, upon being rejected by a Samaritan village, James and John asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to consume them (Luke 9:54). While Jesus rebuked their harshness, their eagerness also highlighted their profound commitment and desire to defend their Lord. This passionate disposition, once raw and unrefined, was gradually transformed by Christ's teaching and example, channeling their fervor into courageous evangelism and steadfast dedication to the Gospel message, preparing them for the challenges of their future apostolic missions.
Following the Pentecost, James played an active role in the early Christian community in Jerusalem, serving as a pillar of the nascent Church. While the New Testament provides limited details about his post-Pentecost ministry beyond his martyrdom, a strong and ancient tradition holds that James embarked on a missionary journey to Hispania, modern-day Spain. According to this tradition, he traveled to the Iberian Peninsula to preach the Gospel, establishing the seeds of Christianity in that distant land. Although there is no explicit biblical confirmation for this mission, the tradition is deeply ingrained in Spanish Catholic identity and has been a cornerstone of devotion to Saint James for centuries, inspiring countless faithful and shaping the religious landscape of the region.
Upon his return to Jerusalem from his alleged mission, James faced persecution under King Herod Agrippa I. The Acts of the Apostles recounts his martyrdom, stating, "He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword" (Acts 12:2). This occurred around 44 AD, making Saint James the first of the twelve Apostles to suffer martyrdom for his faith. His execution was a fulfillment of Jesus's earlier prophecy to James and John, who had ambitiously requested seats of honor in His kingdom, asking them, "Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" (Mark 10:38). Their affirmative response, "We can," foreshadowed James's ultimate sacrifice, as he indeed drank the cup of suffering and offered the supreme witness of his blood for Christ, becoming an enduring symbol of apostolic courage and fidelity.
The legacy of Saint James the Greater resonates profoundly throughout the Christian world, particularly in Spain, where he is venerated as the patron saint. Legend holds that his remains were miraculously transported from Jerusalem to Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain. Over centuries, this site, known as Santiago de Compostela, became one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations in Christendom, second only to Rome and Jerusalem. The Camino de Santiago, or Way of Saint James, attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually, who undertake arduous journeys to honor the Apostle and seek spiritual renewal. Saint James is not only the patron of Spain and pilgrims but also of laborers, pharmacists, and veterinarians. His feast day, July 25th, is a solemnity celebrated with great devotion, commemorating his life of zealous discipleship, his pioneering missionary spirit, and his ultimate sacrifice, continuing to inspire believers to live lives of unwavering faith and courageous witness to the Gospel.
In the vibrant tapestry of ancient Christian lore, few threads are as richly woven with faith and miraculous journeys as the legend of Saint James the Greater's mission to Hispania. After the glorious Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, empowering them to preach the Gospel to all nations, James, ever zealous and fervent, felt a divine call to the farthest reaches of the known world: the Iberian Peninsula. He embarked on a perilous journey, traveling westwards, his heart aflame with the message of Christ.
Upon arriving in what is now Spain, James found the people resistant, their hearts hardened by paganism and skepticism. His efforts bore little fruit, and discouragement began to creep into his soul. One night, in the year 40 AD, while he was praying by the banks of the Ebro River in what would become Zaragoza, a celestial light pierced the darkness. The heavens opened, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, still living on earth, appeared to him atop a pillar of jasper, surrounded by a choir of angels. Her presence brought immense comfort and a renewed sense of purpose to James.
Mary, radiant and serene, spoke to him, encouraging him not to despair. She assured him that though his mission in Spain would be arduous, his faith would eventually take root, and the land would one day embrace Christianity. She instructed him to build a chapel on that very spot, leaving the jasper pillar as a lasting testament to her visit. This miraculous apparition, known as Our Lady of the Pillar, reinvigorated James's spirit, and he immediately set about constructing the small chapel, which became the first church dedicated to Mary in all of Christendom.
Though his time in Spain was marked by struggle, James laid the foundational stones of faith before returning to Jerusalem, compelled by an inner conviction that his work there was yet unfinished. It was in Jerusalem that he would offer the ultimate sacrifice. King Herod Agrippa I, seeking to appease the Jewish authorities, stretched out his hand to persecute some members of the Church. Among his victims was James, the brother of John, whom he ordered to be killed by the sword. Thus, James became the first of the Apostles to shed his blood for Christ, fulfilling the Lord's prophecy that he would indeed drink from His cup of suffering.
But the story of James's legacy did not end with his martyrdom. According to pious tradition, after his death, his loyal disciples gathered his remains, placing them in a stone boat. Miraculously, this boat sailed across the Mediterranean Sea, guided by divine providence, until it reached the shores of Galicia in northwestern Spain. There, his body was interred in a humble tomb, its location lost to time and the tumult of subsequent centuries, protecting it from desecration.
Centuries later, in the 9th century, a hermit named Pelagius followed a guiding star to a field where he discovered an ancient tomb. The local bishop, Theodomirus of Iria Flavia, confirmed the miraculous discovery, declaring it to be the resting place of Saint James the Greater. News of this astounding event spread like wildfire across Europe, and the site, now known as Santiago de Compostela (from Campus Stellae, 'Field of the Star,' or 'St. James of the Star'), became one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in the Christian world. The Camino de Santiago, the Way of Saint James, became a spiritual artery, drawing millions of pilgrims over the centuries, all seeking to honor the Apostle who, through his zeal, perseverance, and ultimate sacrifice, laid the groundwork for faith in a land far from Jerusalem, forever linking his name with courage, evangelization, and the enduring power of divine grace.
June 21, 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Continuing our catechesis on the Apostles, today we shall reflect on James, the son of Zebedee. To distinguish him from the other James, James, son of Alphaeus, he is usually called "James the Greater". This name does not intend to suggest a superiority of holiness or importance, but simply the classic stature of his witness and martyrdom.
As we know, James and John, together with Peter, belonged to the small group whom Jesus invited to be with him at certain important moments of his earthly life. We recall the Transfiguration, after Jesus had announced his Passion (cf. Mk 9:2); then, when the Master entered the house of Peter's mother-in-law, who was sick with a fever (cf. Mk 1:29-31), and finally, when he withdrew to pray in Gethsemane before the Passion (cf. Mk 14:33-35).
James was therefore one of the first to be called by Jesus, together with John, as we have heard, while they were completing their work as fishermen with their father Zebedee on the Sea of Galilee. As the Gospel of Mark recounts, Jesus "called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him" (Mk 1:20). James showed a ready and generous readiness to respond to Jesus' call.
The two brothers, James and John, also show a certain impetuosity. This is demonstrated by an episode soon after the Transfiguration, when Jesus was passing through Samaria on his way to Jerusalem. Because the Samaritans did not want to receive him, James and John suggested to Jesus: "Lord, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?" (Lk 9:54). Jesus, of course, refused.
And then, a little later, James and John actually asked Jesus to sit "one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory" (Mk 10:37). Jesus answered with a question: "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or with the baptism with which I am baptized?" (Mk 10:38). Their response, "We are able," was certainly impulsive, yet it contained a profound truth. Despite their ambition and impetuosity, James and John showed themselves capable of accepting the Lord's invitation to follow him to the end, even through the cup of suffering and the baptism of sacrifice.
Indeed, James was the first of the Apostles to be martyred, bearing supreme witness to Christ by shedding his blood. King Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great, as recounted by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, "laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the Church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword" (Acts 12:1-2). The brevity of the news, not even a word about his trial, suggests how obvious it was that the Apostle bore witness to the Lord with his very life. The Church, from the earliest times, has honoured him, together with Peter and John, as an important point of reference in the nascent community of Jerusalem.
The famous Shrine of Santiago de Compostela in Spain is dedicated to Saint James. According to a very ancient tradition, his body was transported to Galicia, in the north-west of Spain, and buried in what is now Compostela.
As we know, this became one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in the Christian world, where it is often the case that penitents and pilgrims carry a shell, the symbol of pilgrimage, which refers to the tradition that, at the moment of the Apostle's death, his body was carried on a boat, which was then covered with shells.
Apart from legendary interpretations, the fact remains that Compostela became a place of pilgrimage and veneration, which has been very important for maintaining the faith in Europe, where not only Spain but also other parts of Europe became Christian through this message.
Thus, veneration for Saint James the Greater, together with that of Peter and John, continues vibrantly in the Church, with the Camino de Santiago, which continues to bring together so many pilgrims from all parts of the world, who desire to strengthen their faith and their spiritual journey by walking a path of conversion and penance.
From this, we can learn many things from James: the promptness to accept the Lord's call, even when he invites us to leave the 'boat' of our human certainties, the enthusiasm to follow him on the paths he points out to us, not only in our own ideas, the readiness to bear witness to him, even at the supreme sacrifice of life.
All this makes James a powerful and authoritative witness of Christ, who continues to speak to us, to help us in the path of faith and to help us to find the way of truth in our lives.
Thank you.
Undertaking the extensive network of pilgrimage routes, known as the Camino de Santiago, which lead to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
To visit the purported tomb of Saint James the Greater, who is venerated as a major spiritual journey and patron of pilgrims, particularly popular among pilgrims from the U.S. and worldwide.
An almond cake traditionally decorated with the cross of Saint James (Cruz de Santiago) stenciled on top with powdered sugar. It is characterized by its rich almond flavor and moist texture.
It is named after Saint James (Santiago in Spanish) and is a traditional dessert for pilgrims completing the Camino de Santiago, especially popular around his feast day.