Feast of San Giacomo il Maggiore

San Giacomo il Maggiore, ora pro nobis

July 25th is the Feast of San Giacomo Apostolo, also called James the Greater, son of Zebedee, to distinguish him from James the Lesser, son of Alphaeus. Widely venerated across Southern Italy, he is the principal patron of Monte San Giacomo (SA), Calvizzano (NA), Casalnuovo di Napoli (NA), Cicala (CZ), Fuscaldo (CS), Pietrapertosa (PZ), Roccamandolfi (IS) and Capizzi (ME), among others. Invoked against rheumatism and bad weather, he is also the patron saint of pilgrims, wayfarers, knights, soldiers, grocers, pharmacists, hatters and hosiers. 

In celebration, I’m posting a Prayer to Saint James the Apostle. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at the Santuario di San Giacomo Apostolo Maggiore in Capizzi, Sicily. Evviva San Giacomo il Maggiore!

Prayer to Saint James the Apostle

O glorious Apostle, St. James, who by reason of thy fervent and generous heart was chosen by Jesus to be a witness of His glory on Mount Tabor, and of His agony in Gethsemane; thou, whose very name is a symbol of warfare and victory: obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending warfare of this life, that, having constantly and generously followed Jesus, we may be victors in the strife and deserve to receive the victor's crown in heaven. Amen.