James was one of the first four disciples to follow Jesus. He and his brother John were fishing with their father when Jesus approached them and called them to become "fishers of men." Later on in the Gospel, James and John are found to be arguing about which one of them will sit on his right and which on his left when Jesus comes into his kingdom. Because of their fiery tempers, they were nicknamed "Sons of Boanerges" or "Sons of Thunder." It is that same temperament which probably earned James the distinction of being the first of the Twelve to be martyred. According to legend, he was put to the sword by Herod Agrippa.
James also has the distinction of being one of the three disciples who witnessed some of his more miraculous signs; i.e. the raising of the daughter of Jairus, the Transfiguration on Mount Horeb, and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is designated as James the Greater to distinguish him from James, the son of Alphaeus, who is called James the Less.
The shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, is reputedly the resting place of James' earthly remains. His relics are kept in a silver casket in the Basilica of Compostela. The "Way of St. James" has been a popular pilgrimage route for centuries and was recently featured in a movie, starring Martin Sheen, entitled, "The Way."
As the Holy Father continues his pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Rio, let us use this Feast to offer special prayers for his safety and good health.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator