- Who was St. James?
- Origins of St. James Day/Feast of St. James
- Observing and celebrating the Feast of St. James
- Prayer for Feast of St. James
The Feast of St. James the Apostle, honors one of Jesus’ closest disciples and the first Apostle to be martyred for the faith. St. James, known also as James the Greater, was one of the “Sons of Thunder” with his brother John—a nickname that Jesus gave them that hints at their passionate, zealous nature (which is evident to any viewers of The Chosen!) Tradition holds that James was the older brother, though Scripture does not clarify this.
We celebrate the feast each year on July 25. Each year, this feast day offers us a beautiful opportunity to reflect on a man who walked closely with Christ and ultimately gave his life for the Gospel. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or just learning about this incredible saint, his feast day provides a perfect moment to deepen your prayer life and connect with the rich traditions of our faith.
Who Was St. James the Apostle.
St. James was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. He was close to Jesus, witnessing pivotal moments like the Transfiguration and being present during Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Scripture shows us a man of contrasts—someone fiery enough to earn the “Son of Thunder” nickname, yet humble enough to follow Jesus with complete devotion.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. – Matthew 4:21-22
After Christ’s Ascension, James preached fearlessly in Judea and Samaria before becoming the first Apostle to be martyred, beheaded by King Herod Agrippa around 44 A.D. in Jerusalem.
He was the first of the original 12 to die for his faith, as we learn in the 12th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.
Tradition holds that before his martyrdom, James evangelized in Spain, which explains his profound connection to the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago where millions have journeyed to venerate his relics at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Though St. James has a large presence in the Gospels, the Biblical book of James is not connected to him. According to William Farina’s book “St. James the Greater in History, Art and Culture,” the New Testament’s Epistle of James was written by James the Just, not St. James the Greater.
The Origins and Significance of St. James’ Feast Day
The July 25 feast day for St. James has been celebrated since early Christian times, with some sources tracing the celebration back at least to the 9th century.
With James, we are reminded that Jesus doesn’t call perfect people to follow Him. He calls us all, just as he called James
Google Trends tells us that St. James Day is most popular in Spanish, where devotion to James is particularly strong.
Spain is home to the shrine of St. James the Great, also called the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a popular pilgrimate destination and where St. James is believed to be buried. (James is also called “Santiago” in Spanish). Read a Hallow employee’s personal journey of walking “The Way of St. James.“
One of the most famous miracles attributed to St. James happened to a man who returned from a pilgrimage here. According to “Miracles of Saint James” by Linda Davidson, the man’s son, who had been unjustly hanged, was revived after the man returned from Santiago de Compostela.
It’s just one of the 22 miracles commonly associated with St. James.
Modern celebrations of St. James Day include processions, special Masses, traditional foods, and in Santiago de Compostela, spectacular fireworks displays and a unique incense burner (botafumeiro) swinging through the cathedral.
The Philippines also plays host to St. James Day celebrations, with some towns going so far as to cancel school in order to observe the feast day.
Ways to Observe the Feast of St. James
There are many meaningful ways to celebrate this special feast day:
- Attend Mass – If possible, try to attend daily Mass, where the readings and prayers will focus on St. James’ life and witness.
- Pray for pilgrims – Offer morning prayers for those currently walking the Camino de Santiago, that they might find spiritual renewal.
- Learn his story – Read the Gospel accounts featuring St. James (particularly Mark 1:16-20, 3:17, 10:35-45, and Matthew 17:1-8).
- Prepare a feast – In Spain, St. James Day often features seafood dishes like scallops (his symbol is the scallop shell). Consider preparing a special meal with family.
- Pray for courage – Ask St. James to intercede for you, that you might have his courage to witness to Christ even when it’s difficult, and to follow whatever path He leads you
- Make a donation to a charity that supports missionary work.
A Prayer Tradition for St. James’ Feast
Many Catholics pray a novena leading up to his feast day. This is often done beginning on July 16th and concluding on July 24th, the day before the feast.
Hallow offers a number of audio-guided novenas that you might consider praying ahead of the Feast of St. James, includng the Surrender Novena and the Discernment Novena, led by Sr. Josephine Garrett.
You can also pray this simple prayer asking for the intercession of St. James:
“St. James, chosen by Jesus to be at His side during so many significant moments of His life, pray for me that I may remain close to Jesus in my own life. Pray that I have the courage to travel whatever road Jesus leads me down. Pray that I may have the strength to encounter whatever adversity comes by way, just as you bravely faced it in your martyrdom. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.”
More Resources
At Hallow, we’re particularly moved by how St. James shows us that peace often comes through transformation. His journey from ambitious fisherman to faithful martyr reminds us that prayer changes us from the inside out.
Here are some more resources to allow Jesus to transform your heart: