Every July 25th, we celebrate the Feast of St. James the Greater, one of Jesus’ closest disciples and the first apostle to be martyred. Known for his fiery zeal and bold faith, St. James reminds us that following Christ often means leaving everything behind to walk a new path, and sometimes, to blaze a trail for others.
Who Was St. James?
James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John, was one of the first to respond when Jesus called, “Follow me.” Alongside Peter and John, James witnessed some of the most intimate moments of Jesus’ life, from the Transfiguration to the agony in Gethsemane. Jesus nicknamed him and his brother “Boanerges,” or “Sons of Thunder,” because of their passionate and intense devotion.
Tradition holds that after Pentecost, James preached the Gospel as far west as Spain. It was during this discouraging period that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him in Zaragoza, an apparition known as Our Lady of the Pillar. James would later return to Jerusalem, where he became the first apostle to die for his faith.
The Camino de Santiago: Pilgrimage of a Lifetime
Centuries later, pilgrims began following in his footsteps across the stunning landscapes of Spain in a journey called the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James. This epic pilgrimage ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the apostle is believed to be buried.
The Camino isn’t just a physical trek, it’s a spiritual journey. It’s about finding Christ in the silence, the struggles, the strangers you meet, and the strength you didn’t know you had.
Start the Novena Today on Tabella
This year, we’re inviting everyone to pray the Novena to St. James with us, exclusively on the Tabella App in English and in Spanish.
Novena Prayer St. James! We come to you in eager pilgrimage. We come as part of a great throng of pilgrims who through the centuries have come to this place. Teach us, apostle and friend of the Lord, the WAY which leads to him. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Download Tabella, the #1 Catholic App for parishes and groups, and join thousands praying this novena across the globe. Let’s walk with St. James together, from wherever we are.
