JAMES THE LESS
Saint James was called the “less” to distinguish him from St. James the Greater also an apostle. He was the cousin of Jesus and the brother of St. Jude Thaddeus.
Saint James was one of the first disciples to have visions of the risen Christ and was the first Bishop of Jerusalem.
He met with Saint Paul the Apostle to work out Paul’s plan for evangelization. He supported the position that Gentile converts did not have to obey all Jewish religious laws.
Saint James was a just and apostolic man known for his prayer life and devotion to the poor.
Having been beaten to death, a club immediately became his symbol.
Saint James’s Feast Day is celebrated on May 3.