A fisherman called by Jesus

Today, we celebrate with joy and devotion the solemnity of the Apostle Saint James the Greater, patron saint of Spain. On this special day, we remember a passionate, intense man of strong character, yet profoundly transformed by his encounter with Jesus Christ.

James, along with his brother John, was known as one of the “sons of thunder,” the Boanerges, due to his impetuous temperament. However, Jesus called him from his humble job as a fisherman on the Sea of Tiberias, where he worked with his father Zebedee. He was one of the first disciples to leave everything to follow the Master.

His story reminds us that no one is the same after encountering Christ. Jesus transforms passion into mission, and the fishermen into apostles.

A vocation transformed by love

Santiago left everything—his family, his job, his stability—for one reason:  Jesus’ call. That same call resonates in our hearts today. As an inspiring quote goes:  “There are two important days in life: the day you are born and the day you discover why.”

James’s “why” was clear:  to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. And along the way, he went from being a passionate and ambitious disciple to a dedicated servant. When he and John asked for the top positions in the Kingdom, Jesus taught them that true leadership is service and the dedication of one’s life.

One of Jesus’ closest friends

James was part of Jesus’ inner circle, along with Peter and John. He was present at key moments such as:

• The resurrection of Jairus’ daughter

• The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor

• The agony of Jesus in Gethsemane

Being there, in those unique moments, demonstrated the profound trust Jesus had in him. As the Gospel says:  “I no longer call you servants, but friends.”

The first apostle, martyr, and evangelizer of Spain

After the Resurrection, Jesus sent his apostles to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world. According to tradition, Saint James was sent to evangelize Hispania, then considered the end of the known world:  Finisterre.

Around the year 40, Saint James traveled through Spain from the Mediterranean coast, passing through Zaragoza, where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to him in mortal flesh on a pillar to encourage him not to give up. From this point on, the devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar and the beginning of Christianity in Spain would emerge.

Despite difficulties and rejection, James sowed the first seeds of the Gospel in this land.  Years later, he would return to Jerusalem, where he was martyred by order of Herod, according to the Book of Acts. He was the first apostle to give his life for Christ.

A legacy that spans centuries and continents

The testimony of Saint James did not remain in the past. His tomb in Santiago de Compostela became one of the greatest centers of pilgrimage in Christianity. Today, the Camino de Santiago attracts thousands of people from all over the world, who, beyond cultural and sporting pursuits, discover that life is also a pilgrimage to God.

As in every path, you learn to leave what is not essential to walk lighter and find what really matters:  the eternal goal.

James invites us to be faithful today

Today, the Apostle James issues us a clear invitation:  to be apostles in the 21st century. Not all of us will shed blood like him, but we can live the “white martyrdom” of daily fidelity: defending the faith, the dignity of the person, life, family, Christian love, and hope.

As Saint John Paul II said:  “Love, over time, is called fidelity.”  And as Saint Teresa of Calcutta repeated:  “God has not called me to success, but to fidelity.”

A prayer to the apostle James

Today, let us ask for the intercession of Saint James for:

• Discover and live our vocation

• Be true friends of Jesus

• Do not be afraid to evangelize and bear witness

• Persevere with joy in our pilgrimage to heaven

Happy St. James the Apostle’s Day!  May his example inspire us to follow Christ with determination and joy. God loves you… and He wants you happy.