St. James the Lesser
Patron of Hatmmakers
St. James the Less, the author of the first Catholic Epistle, was the son of Alphaeus of Cleophas. His mother Mary was either a sister or a close relative of the Blessed Virgin, and for that reason, according to Jewish custom, he was sometimes called the brother of the Lord. The Apostle held a distinguished position in the early Christian community of Jerusalem. St. Paul tells us he was a witness of the Resurrection of Christ; he is also a "pillar" of the Church, whom St. Paul consulted about the Gospel.
According to tradition, he was the first Bishop of Jerusalem, and was at the Council of Jerusalem about the year 50. The historians Eusebius and Hegesippus relayed that St. James was martyred for the Faith by the Jews in the Spring of the year 62, although they greatly esteemed his person and had given him the surname of "James the Just."
Tradition has always recognized him as the author of the Epistle that bears his name. Internal evidence based on the language, style, and teaching of the Epistle reveals its author as a Jew familiar with the Old Testament, and a Christian thoroughly grounded in the teachings of the Gospel. External evidence from the early Fathers and Councils of the Church confirmed its authenticity and canonicity.
The date of its writing cannot be determined exactly. According to some scholars it was written about the year 49 A.D. Others, however, claim it was written after St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans (composed during the winter of 57-58 A.D.). It was probably written between the years 60 and 62 A.D.
St. James addresses himself to the "twelve tribes that are in the Dispersion," that is, to Christians outside Palestine; but nothing in the Epistle indicates that he is thinking only of Jewish Christians. St. James realizes full well the temptations and difficulties they encounter in the midst of paganism, and as a spiritual father, he endeavors to guide and direct them in the faith. Therefore, the burden of his discourse is an exhortation to practical Christian living.
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St James, apart from St.Peter & St.John, form the inner core of Jesus. St. James Epistle becomes much relevant in the last days , especially during the time of the Apostasy Prophesied specific to the words "Faith without works id dead". These words clearly contradicted the protestant bible of Martin Luther, said to be the father of the Protestant & reformation when he introduced the word "Only" to word faith to read 'Faith only" to the salvation, thus leavening the most important word unto Man- Faith. This leavening is instrumental to changing the whole essence of the truth of God, to say out of which arose the Apostasy coming through the word, the word leavened. When the truth is 'Grace only" This grace totally off God assessed through the faith in the works to the words of St. James 'faith without works is dead against Martin Luther's leaven. The words of St. James is called for today to correct the Pentecostals & reformists seen falling away from the Faith, the Apostolic one ,due to this error.
St. James, please pray for me to be imbued with the zeal that set you apart from others.
Dear Saint,
Kindly pray for the Church which you have nurtured with your blood. Enlighten the Holy Father to purify the Church of the evil spirit present among the clergy and unite her through the power of the Holy Spirit. Grant her peace and joy so that she takes great pride in her Faith. Bless all the faithful to follow Christ in word and deed. Help me too to put away my old self and to be renewed anew in Faith and holiness. Amen.
Please pray for Gwen, Michelle, Jacob and all cancer patients especially the children. Thank you dear Lord for making me cancer free.
Dear St. James, Pray for me to be imbued with the zeal to serve the Lord always.
Dear St. James the Lesser, we are thankful for your life, your epistle, your witnessing to Christ. You are so blessed to be a blood relative (cousin), of Jesus, to be chosen to be His apostle and to have seen Christ after his Resurrection. St. James today we celebrate your feast day together with St Philip. Pray for all of us who are pilgrims on earth. We are united to the saints on whose intercession we rely. Today, 3rd May is my only son, Martin's birthday. Intercede and pray earnestly for him for all his many needs, wants and his heart's desires. He has many dreams for himself. Give success to the book that he is going to publish,and to his daily work. Give him great gifts of discernment, discretion and diligence. I'm confident that God will resolve all his difficulties. May he enjoy the love of his children. Bless and protect them always. May his children grow to know and love our Lord Jesus. Amen
this web site is amazing thanks
st.james help me with my grades in school
I am looking for a picture of St. James,since my son in an All Saints Parade.
Thank You,
Terri
I thank you for this site. I never knew all of this about St. James the Less. Wonderful to read about the Saints.
St. James' mother, Mary of Alphaeus of Cleophas was a sister-in-law to Blessed Mary. St. James father was a brother to St. Joseph. St. James brother was St. Judas Thaddeus according to Maria Valtorta writing "The Poem of the Man-God"