May 3 - Saints Philip and James the Lesser


Saint Philip
Quick Facts

  • Disciple of Saint John the Baptist.
  • Apostle.
  • Brought Saint Nathanael to Christ.
  • Confidant of Jesus.
  • Little is known about him, but scriptural episodes give the impression of a shy, naive, practical individual.
  • Preached in Greece and Asia Minor.
  • Martyr.



Saint James the Lesser

Quick Facts
  • Apostle.
  • Cousin of Jesus.
  • Brother of Saint Jude Thaddeus.
  • One of the first to have visions of the risen Christ.
  • First Bishop of Jerusalem.
  • Having been beaten to death, a club almost immediately became his symbol.
  • This led to his patronage of fullers and pharmacists, both of whom use clubs in their professions.
  • Like all men of renown, large stories grew up around James.
  • He is reported to have spent so much time in prayer that his knees thickened, and looked like a camel's.
  • Soon after the Crucifixion, James said he would fast until Christ returned; the resurrected Jesus appeared to him, and fixed a meal Himself.