Celebrating St. James the Greater, Apostle on July 25.
St. James the Greater, honored on July 25, was one of the first disciples called by Jesus and a key witness to His ministry. He was part of Christ’s inner circle, present at the Transfiguration and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The son of Zebedee and brother of John, James was a fisherman called from his nets to become a “fisher of men.”
After the Resurrection, James boldly preached the Gospel. Tradition holds that he traveled as far as Spain to evangelize before returning to Jerusalem, where he became the first Apostle to be martyred, beheaded by order of King Herod Agrippa.
His legacy lives on profoundly in the Camino de Santiago—a pilgrimage that draws thousands each year to his shrine in Compostela, Spain. This pilgrimage is not just about reaching a destination, but about walking in faith, step by step.
For Catholic professionals, St. James shows us the importance of being both active and available. He left his nets immediately when Jesus called. He wasn’t the most eloquent or scholarly, but he was present—on the mountain, in the garden, in the mission field.
His story reminds us that following Christ often means leaving what’s comfortable, going where we’re sent, and being ready to act. Whether you’re leading teams, raising kids, or simply trying to be faithful in daily routines, St. James calls us to live as pilgrims, not tourists—moving with purpose, even through struggle.