Philip and James “the Lesser” have shared this day since ancient times, just as they shared the patronage of an ancient Roman basilica, now the Church of the Twelve Apostles, in central Rome. James was one of the main pillars of the Church of Jerusalem, mentioned by Saint Paul in his Letter to the Galatians, 2:9). At the Council of Jerusalem (the first Council in the Church), James followed Peter’s lead, summarizing the Council’s decision (Acts 15:6 - 29). Saint James was martyred in Jerusalem in 61 AD.
Let us pray.
O God, who gladden us each year
with the feast day of the Apostles Philip and James,
grant us, through their prayers,
a share in the Passion and Resurrection
of Your only-begotten Son,
so that we may merit to behold You for eternity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
with the feast day of the Apostles Philip and James,
grant us, through their prayers,
a share in the Passion and Resurrection
of Your only-begotten Son,
so that we may merit to behold You for eternity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Why was this James called ‘the lesser’?
ReplyDeleteThe St. James the Church celebrates on May 3 is James, son of Alphaeus. He is also known as "James the Younger. He is distinct from St. James, son of Zebedee, who became the first bishop of Jerusalem. His feast day is July 25.
ReplyDeleteAs you pointed out James ‘the less’ was younger. Also he is distinguished from James son of the fisherman Zebedee (whose other brother was John). Together these brothers were nicknamed Sons of Thunder.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that Jesus chose two sets of brothers among His twelve apostles. That means that a third of His apostles were blood relations. Several of the first priests (and bishops) were related!
Do we have any sets of blood brother priests in the East Coast church today?
How about sets of brothers becoming priests in the recent past in the diocese of Saint John? It’s always interesting to hear about priests who lived in our diocese.
I remember seeing my grandfather (John R. Kelly) graduation photo from St. Vincent’s High School (Saint John). From his class of 60 or so there were four men later ordained priests! Four from just his year alone!
One of the names I recognized as ordained was Father Raymund Stack. I’m not sure but he may have had a brother also a priest?
In the Diocese of Saint John, to my knowledge, there were Fathers David and Paul Mitchell, Raymund and Bernard Stack, Joseph Whelly and his brother John, a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross. In addition, many priests in the Diocese are related as cousins.
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