St James the Greater

James was one of the first Apostles called by Jesus to “Follow Me”. He was a fisherman like his father and his brother John was also called to follow Jesus. Jesus called James and his brother to become fishers of men, which means they would go out and tell people the good news about Jesus and they would help many people become followers of Jesus too. James was present at some very special moments during Jesus’ life; the miracle of raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead; the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain; and the agony of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. He was given the gifts of healing and casting out evil spirits from people. Jesus called St. James, St. Peter and St. John the “Sons of Thunder”, which could mean they had a bit of a temper and were impatient when people didn’t believe in God. Although St. James was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was arrested St. James ran away in fear. After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to St. James with the other Apostles and St. James received courage through the Holy Spirit to spread the Good News to many people. He was killed for his faith in Jesus and is one of the first martyrs of the Church.