#saint james

then something interesting happened. i was scrolling thru instagram to just, try and take my mind off how i was feeling and got recommended this post about St James. it's supposed to be about envy and not comparing yourself to others (which are very important don't get me wrong) but reading these particular lines made me burst into tears

it helped me realize something: regardless of what the church says, no matter how much i may be despised and hated by my christian siblings, it doesn't matter because The Lord will always be with me. even if i am forced out He will follow. God knit me in my mother's womb, saw all that i was, is, and will be, and loves me with all His being.

certainly doesn't mean i plan to stop being catholic anytime soon though. they can't get rid of me that easy.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" - Philippians 4:19

Feliz Día A San Santiago

¡Gran Apóstol Santiago, familiar cercano de nuestro Señor y aún más cercano a Él por lazos espirituales! Al ser llamado por Él entre los primeros discípulos y ser favorecido con Su especial intimidad, tu respondiste con gran generosidad, dejándolo todo para seguirle a la primera llamada. También tuviste el privilegio de ser el primero de los Apóstoles en morir por Él, sellando tu predicación con tu sangre.

“Atronador” en el entusiasmo en la tierra desde el cielo, te has mostrado defensor de Su Iglesia una y otra vez, apareciendo en el campo de batalla de los Cristianos para derrotar y dispersar a los enemigos de la Cruz, y llevar a los descorazonados Creyentes a la Victoria. Fuerza de los Cristianos, refugio seguro de aquellos que te suplican con confianza, oh, protégenos ahora en los peligros que nos rodean.

Que por tu intercesión, nuestro Señor nos conceda Su Santo Amor, filial temor, justicia, paz y la victoria sobre nuestros adversarios, tanto visibles como invisibles, y sobre todo, que un día nos conceda la felicidad de verlo y tenerlo con nosotros en el cielo, en tu compañía y la de los ángeles y santos para siempre.

José María Casado del Alisal (Spanish, 1832-1886) Santiago en la batalla de Clavijo (Saint James Moorslayer), 1885 Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great

James, the brother of John the Evangelist, was the first Apostle to be martyred. He was beheaded by order of Herod of Agrippa.

The Gospels tell us that the two brothers left their father, Zebedee, and followed Jesus as soon as He called out to them.

James was one of the three Apostles who were particularly close to the Lord.

He was there with the Lord and his brother John and Peter at the Transfiguration, and in the Garden of Gethsemane.

He is known as "James the Greater" to distinguish him from the other Apostle by the same name.

The title has little to do with his function or the people's regard for him. Rather, it was a term indicating that he was the elder of the two.

He is the patron saint of Spain and of pilgrims.