St. Philip was a native of Bethsaida on the shores of Lake Genesareth in Galilee. The Apostle Philip was one of Christ's first disciples and was instrumental in the call of Nathanael. As soon as he discovered the Messiah, Philip went to his friend Nathanael and said: "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth" (Jn 1:43). In wonderment, Nathanael asked: "Can any good come out of Nazareth?" Philip answered: "Come and see" (Jn 1:45). He accompanied Philip and went on to become the first ever to proclaim Jesus, "Son of God.... the King of Israel!" (Jn 1:49). It was Philip who asked to see the Father when Jesus spoke about him at the Last Supper. After the Pentecost, Philip went to preach the Gospel in Asia Minor, accompanied by his daughters. He suffered martyrdom by crucifixion at Hierapolis in Phrygia.
St. James the Less was a brother of St. Jude Thaddaeus and is generally thought to have been a cousin of our Lord. His mother, Mary of Clopas, was a sister of the Blessed Virgin. A most lovable, devout, and ascetic man, James "the Just" became the first Bishop of Jerusalem. St. James was conspicuous for his charity, his reverent attachment to the Temple and ancient Jewish customs, as well as his calm resignation under the persecution by Herod. James is noted for the Epistle he wrote in the year 47 A.D. addressing Churches in Syria, whose members found themselves discriminated against and oppressed because of their new-found faith. St James the Less, so known as to distinguish him from the other apostle named James, the son of Zebedee, is known to have suffered martyrdom by being cast down from the parapet of the Temple and killed with a fuller's club. He is the patron of pharmacists, fullers, and hatmakers.
O glorious Apostles, Sts. Philip and James, obtain for us the grace and strength we need to endure the ceaseless spiritual battles of our lives.
#stjames #stphilip #feastday #shalomworldprayer
Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
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