Today's Saint (July 25): James the Apostle (d. 44)

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St. James is one of the sons of Zebedee - the other being Saint John.

He was one of the three apostles who witnessed the Transfiguration of Our Lord, as well as His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

He was the first of the disciples to suffer martyrdom, being beheaded by the order of King Herod Agrippa.

The accompanying picture - a tempera on canvas, created in 1516 - is by the German artist Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528).

In our labours for the Faith, may we draw strength from the example of Saint James, who lived his life with Jesus at his side, and who heeded our Lord's commands, even to the end.

"Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant; even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (The day's gospel reading, page E 93, People's Anglican Missal)

Vigil propers + Mass propers
Catholic Encyclopedia article

Books worth considering
The Twelve : The Lives of the Apostles After Calvary
The Inner Circle : Studying the Lives of 13 Apostles
The 12 Apostles: Their Lives & Acts (Children's Book)
The Treasury of Saints and Martyrs
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (Oxford Paperback Reference)
The Penguin Dictionary of Saints: Third Edition (Dictionary, Penguin)

www.episcopalnet.org