This Sunday we will celebrate our Feast of Title – the Feast of St. James. The actual Feast of St. James is on July 25th annually, but we’ve transferred it to Sunday so we can celebrate together. Part of that celebration will include the baptism of Lucas William Hartman. How much do you know about St. James? The blurb below is from the liturgical resource for saints of the church, and is a good overview. Additionally, you can read Bill’s+ reflection from last year with a great recipe for Torta de Santiago (a great coffee hour addition—hint hint)! (https://www.stjamesmtairy.org/event-items/celebrate-feast-st-james-elder/)
See you Sunday to celebrate!
James, the brother of John, is often known as James the Greater,
to distinguish him from the other Apostle of the same name,
commemorated in the calendar with Philip, and also from James
“the brother of our Lord.” He was the son of a prosperous Galilean
fisherman, Zebedee, and with his brother John left his home and his
trade in obedience to the call of Christ. With Peter and John, he seems
to have belonged to an especially privileged group, whom Jesus chose
to be witnesses of the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter,
and the agony in the garden.
Apparently, James shared John’s hot-headed disposition, and Jesus
nicknamed the brothers, “Boanerges” (Sons of Thunder). James’
expressed willingness to share the cup of Christ was realized in
his being the first of the Apostles to die for him. As the Acts of the
Apostles records, “About that time Herod the King laid violent hands
upon some who belonged to the Church. He killed James the brother
of John with the sword” (Acts 12:1–2).
According to an old tradition, the body of James was taken to
Compostela, Spain, which has been a shrine for pilgrims for centuries.
Among the Spaniards, James is one of the most popular saints. In the
Middle Ages, under the title of Santiago de Compostela, his aid was
especially invoked in battle against the Moors.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+