About St. James the Lesser

St. James Lesser was the son of Mary who is believed to be the sister or cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. James the Lesser is also called the brother of the Lord because of his mother's close relationship with the mother of Jesus. His father was Cleophas, also known as Alphaeus.

St. James the Lesser Pillar of the Church

St. James Lesser was considered an important role in early Christianity in Jerusalem. Saint Paul often consulted him and called him a Pillar of the Church. He was also one of the witnesses at the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

St. James Lesser became the first Bishop of Jerusalem in approximately 50 A.D. Historians refer to St. James Lesser as James the Just.

St. James Lesser Author

It is also believed that St. James the Lesser is the author of the Epistle of St. James. Theologians determined him as the author because of the language, writing style, and teachings the epistle contains. It is not known when the Epistle of St. James was written.

St. James the Lesser Martyr

St. James the Lesser became a martyr for Jesus Christ while preaching in Egypt. He was accused of turning against the laws of Moses and sentenced to death.

The feast of St. James the Lesser is celebrated on May 3 by Roman Catholics. Many Catholics pray to St. James the Lesser and wear a St. James Lesser medal or a St. James Lesser pendant in veneration of this early Christian martyr and apostle of Jesus Christ.

Prayer to St. James the Lesser

O Glorious Saint James Lesser, you were our Lord's cousin and at the same time his friend and follower. You wrote that every good and perfect gift comes to us from the Father of lights, and that faith without works is useless. You preached the divinity of Jesus until your death as a martyr. Obtain for us from the Father of lights the great gift of a living faith in Jesus' divinity which will inspire us to unstinting labor in the service of God and our fellow human beings and enable us to reach our heavenly destiny. Amen.