St Francis Day on 03 and 04th Octuber

A VIda Franciscana..

CELEBRACAO EM SAN DAMIANO FRIARY E COMUNIDADE DE SAO FRANCISCO

Queridos amigos....

E uma alegria vos escrever e comparti com voces meus sonhos e ideais nesta vida, e neste rumo que decidir seguir. HOje e dia de San Francisco. E seu aniversario. Para os franciscanos de modo geral e um marco na historia. Um homem que revolucionou o tempo.Tempo este marcado pelo confrito entre Assis e Perugia e ao mesmo tempo em uma realidade de conflitos e guerras. E nesta Epoca, que Francisco se descobre. Busca a profundeza do encontro. E neste encontro ,esta relacionado em seu contato com a natureza , na procura de Deus..e neste momento ,que ele entra em profundo transito e questionamentos ao se deparar com a dura e castigante do sofrimento e miseria em Assis, ora cercada por riquezas pobreza..e nesta pobreza ...a lepra e vista como doenca terminal em Assis.Certamente o texto logo abaixo esta escrito em ingles. Os amados poderao seguir diretamente ao texto e datas precisas da Vida de Sao FRancisco.
Mas narrarei aqui um episodio de minha experiencia na vida Religiosa em San Francisco no Estado da California experimentada nestes dias 03 e 04 de Outubro. NO dia 03 de Outubro na tradicao franciscana os irmaos vivem um momento de transito...quer dizer saidas de lugar em lugar em missoes,mais isto que dizer tambem ,virgilia e meditacao sobre os melhores momentos da vida e passagem de Sao Francisco.Aqui muitos irmaos saem de um lugar a outra pra lembrar a morte de S.Francisco.Enfim nesta Sexta Feira do dia 03 a tarde fomos d encontros as irmas franciscanas. Fomos em caminha. Br.JOnathan, Br Simon e eu fomos a pe..caminhamos aproximadamente 30 minutos pra chegar a Community Saint Francis ou Comunidade de Sao Francisco....
Ao Chegarmos la, fomos muito bem recebidos pelas irmas. Sentamos na sala de estar . Esperamos a hora de chegada de nosso Provincial Br Jude,Richard, Robert. As 6:00 da Tarde comecamos a Oracao e veneracao do Santo.Experimentei um momento subrime de graca e de louvor.A adoracao comecou com canticos em honra a Francisco, leitura de sua Vida e Obra..Leitura da Escritura Sagrada e oracoes..Ao terminar a oracao antes da bencao..Os irmaos ajoelham-se em sinal de adoracao...abre seus bracos como San Francisco fez ao receber as Estigmas do Filho de Deus..De bracos abertos e ajoelhados e cantado a Oracao de Sao Francisco.Ao Termino o Guardiao ou Provinciais( Br JUde and Sister Jim) deu a bencao e finalizada a adoracao e oracao.Momentos muitos subrimes de adoracao e meditacao.
Ao terminar a Oracao os irmaos se preparam pra a janta.Naquele dia tivemos uma deliciosa refeicao preparada pela Irm. Pamela.A casa estava cheiga e cheia de alegria .
Em San Damiano Friary
As atividades em San Damiano FRiary comecou cedo com a limpeza da casa, para que a noite tudo estivesse preparados. Casa limpa, comida pronta e organizacao total da casa.As 6:00 da tarde iniciamos o Angelus e logo em seguida coemcamos a missa pra celebrar o dia de S.Francisco.A missa foi celebrada solenemente no rito anglo-catolico ao son de hinos e incenso.o Gloria cantado, O evangelho proclamado em canticos e mitas oracoes que se seguiram.estavam presentes a Communit Saint Francis Comunidade de sao Francisco, o Convento das irmas com a presenca de Sr.( Sister)Jeam,Sr.Pamela, Sr Cecilia,e as outras irmas.
Estavam presentes visitantes como e de praxis aos sabados ,quando a casa se abre pra quem vem de fora.Na ocasiao foi recebido na Comunidade como aspirante o Sr.Luis,um jovem frequente ao friary que deseja ingressar na vida religiosa.Agora se dar seu processo de formacao.
Ao termino da Sta .MIssa fomos ao jantar que foi preparado pelo provincial.Foi maravilhoso todos juntos e festejando o Dia de San Francisco.Magnifico dia.Segue cesao de fotos deste dia maravilhoso.
Amigos rezem por nos e por nossa vocacao.Se deseja fazer parte veja o nosso site
www.s-s-f.org..
Aqui voce encontra mais informacoes sobre nossa vida e nossa Ordem sejam todos bem vindos.

Br.Ivanildo ssf














"The Divine Praises"
Francis of Assisi You are holy, Lord, the only God,
and Your deeds are wonderful.
You are strong.
You are great.
You are the Most High.
You are Almighty.

You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth.
You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good.
You are Good, all Good, supreme Good,
Lord God, living and true.
You are love. You are wisdom.
You are humility. You are endurance.
You are rest. You are peace.
You are joy and gladness.
You are justice and moderation.
You are all our riches, and You suffice for us.
You are beauty.
You are gentleness.
You are our protector.
You are our guardian and defender.
You are our courage. You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith, our great consolation.
You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord,
God Almighty, Merciful Saviour.

VIda de S.Francisco e Dia de sao Francisco no FRiary

LORD, make us instruments of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, union; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that we may not seek to much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardonning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen -- Attributed to John Bernardone ("Francis of Assisi"), 13th Century

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Francis of Assisi

Most people know Francis as a middle-ages ascetic who loved animals. The complete story is even more interesting.

He was born John Bernardone, the son of successful merchant Peter Bernardone. Peter made his living travelling to and from France, and importing their fine fabrics. The early sources say that Peter nicknamed his son "Francis" ("Frenchy"). Or perhaps John acquired the name because as a teen and adult, he liked to play the French instrument -- an early form of the guitar, and the subject of some ecclesiastical disapproval. ("These kids nowadays and their music!")

We read that in his youth, Francis used to organize parties for the upper-class kids. Whether he had any romantic involvements will never be known. An early liturgy honoring him as a saint stated that he "surpassed all the other young people in debauchery". A few years later, it was changed to say that "he was himself restrained by God's grace."

Two neighboring towns had a war and Francis was a P.O.W. for a year. This was the beginning of a new interest in religion. There are stories of mystical experiences, vigils, and finally a vision of a talking crucifix in an abandoned chapel: "Francis, rebuild my church." The young Francis took this literally, and started doing repairs on dilapidated, out-of-use chapels and raising money for materials by doing odd jobs and asking for donations.

Exactly what happened between Francis and his father will never be known, but Francis admitted stealing some cloth and selling it for building funds. During the hearing, Francis told his father he could have back everything he'd ever given him. He stripped naked, and said that he was a religious ascetic. The bishop, who was holding the hearing, gave him something to wear, and Francis went to live on his own. His father never accepted reconciliation, although his mother never broke with him.

Francis was mugged for the first time within a few hours. He worked for a while as kitchen help for the Benedictines, but ended up hiring himself as a day-laborer. On Saint Matthias's day, Francis heard the gospel lession, about being mendicant preachers of the Good News of Christ. He felt called to this, and began preaching as the way he was really supposed to "rebuild the church". Although he preached, he continued to support himself by working, and did not pass a collection during his sessions. He never became a priest, though eventually he was made deacon.

Francis acquired a number of like-minded friends, and they obtained recognition from the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) as an order, outside the jurisdiction of the local authorities. Francis probably welcomed this, as a help to keep his movement out of local politics. Rome was glad to have these people who were dedicated to living the Gospel and to Bible preaching, as its special associates.

We might think that the savvy leaders of Rome, foreseeing the Protestant Reformation, intentionally promoted a crypto-Protestant like Francis who professed loyalty to the established church institutions. Francis talked a great deal about his reverence for ordained people, his fidelity to the medieval church, and so forth. His actions show that this was selective. He established the order of the Poor Clares himself, and dedicated its first members -- a function which by law was the bishop's prerogative. He read and quoted the Bible and preached boldly and powerfully from it. He emphasized personal repentance, the personal relationship with Jesus as Lord, and gratitude for the blessings of life and the sacrifice of Christ by which our salvation is obtained.

Everybody knows the stories about birds seeming to listen as Francis told them about their Creator, and how they should be grateful and happy. There are all manner of anecdotes about this curious, engaging hermit-preacher. At one point, the young Francis bought a lamb which was being taken to slaughter, and raised it as a pet. It grew up. People think the same things in all eras, and one early biographer mentions his being questioned about this by the bishop. Also mentioned is an incident in which Francis overcame sensual temptation by stripping naked and making eight snowmen. The first represented himself, able to do what he liked best -- preach, pray, and live simply. The second represented the wife he would need if he could not be contented, and he reminded himself of how much more complicated his life would become. After four children, a school teacher, and a baby sitter, and the host of responsibilities, he was able to find inner peace.

Within a decade, Francis had so many imitators that they organized at the "Chapter of Mats". Francis proved incapable of adminstering a movement, and there were soon divisions over how strict the asceticism of the movement should be. Seeking a new direction, Francis stowed away on a ship, and traveled to North Africa to try to stop the crusades. He crossed to Moslem territory got himself arrested on the presumption of being a spy. Of course the Moslems knew who he was, and found him fascinating. The Sultan in particular professed amazement at meeting a Christian who was also a person of peace and goodwill. Francis offered to be set on fire as a no-lose test -- if he lived, it would be proof of the merits of the Christian religion but if he died, it would be because of his sins. Instead, the Sultan let him tour the historical sites in the Holy Land, which were off-limits to Christians. To this day, many of these sites are maintained by Franciscans. The only gift Francis accepted from his Moslem friends was a prayer horn, which he sounded at the beginning of his sermons for the rest of his career. He gave specific orders that while Moslem areas were targets for evangelization, no Franciscan had any reason ever to speak ill of Mohammed or the Koran.

Returning home, Francis remained in public life. He negotiated one important peace settlement, and completed his "Song of Brother Sun", which he urged his emulators to play on the still-controversial guitar. On retreat, he had a vision of a crucified seraph (a theological impossibility, as he well knew), which flashed bolts of light which left him with wounds mirroring Christ's. He tried to hide these from his associates, but they reported seeing and feeling blackened, painful areas on each hand and foot and on one side of the chest. He was the first known Christian, except perhaps Paul, to bear the supposed "stigmata".

Francis died a few years after returning from the Near East. His symptoms suggest schstosomiasis, which as a visitor to Egypt he would have been a serious risk. He also suffered from an eye problem, probably trachoma, which was also endemic in Egypt. His request to be buried beneath the town gallows was honored, but the gallows was torn down and a basilica erected. Infighting in the order has blackwashed the name of Brother Elias, who did the building. The body was so well-hidden from relic-seekers that it was not found until the 1800's. Although he was not a vegetarian, forensic osteologists determined that Francis suffered from osteomalacia, from his ascetic diet.

Why remember Francis? He was a powerful, authentic Bible preacher in an era when this was rare. His message of love and gratitude goes beyond all Christian sectarianism, so that his "Song of Brother Sun" was chosen at one major interfaith gathering as the single song that everyone present -- Christian and non-Christian -- could sing together.

And Francis is special in another way, not really separate. Francis's era saw feudalism replaced by capitalism, the profit motive, and a wealthier and healthier society. Not everybody can or should be a holy hermit. Francis gave a resounding "No!" to the preoccupation with getting rich, but without advancing any political agenda or urging people to license or irresponsibility. Lenin, dying, is said to have spoken of Francis, and saying that his was the right way after all. In our day, when we see Francis's picture in a birdbath, let's remember both the goodness of nature and creation, and how much better life is when we let go of our focus on wealth and status, and seek first the Kingdom of God.

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"The Divine Praises" Francis of Assisi You are holy, Lord, the only God, and Your deeds are wonderful. You are strong. You are great. You are the Most High. You are Almighty. You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth. You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good. You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true. You are love. You are wisdom. You are humility. You are endurance. You are rest. You are peace. You are joy and gladness. You are justice and moderation. You are all our riches, and You suffice for us. You are beauty. You are gentleness. You are our protector. You are our guardian and defender. You are our courage. You are our haven and our hope. You are our faith, our great consolation. You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Saviour.

Senhor fazei-me instrumentode vossa Paz

LORD, make us instruments of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, union; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that we may not seek to much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardonning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen -- Attributed to John Bernardone ("Francis of Assisi"), 13th Century

---

Francis of Assisi

Most people know Francis as a middle-ages ascetic who loved animals. The complete story is even more interesting.

He was born John Bernardone, the son of successful merchant Peter Bernardone. Peter made his living travelling to and from France, and importing their fine fabrics. The early sources say that Peter nicknamed his son "Francis" ("Frenchy"). Or perhaps John acquired the name because as a teen and adult, he liked to play the French instrument -- an early form of the guitar, and the subject of some ecclesiastical disapproval. ("These kids nowadays and their music!")

We read that in his youth, Francis used to organize parties for the upper-class kids. Whether he had any romantic involvements will never be known. An early liturgy honoring him as a saint stated that he "surpassed all the other young people in debauchery". A few years later, it was changed to say that "he was himself restrained by God's grace."

Two neighboring towns had a war and Francis was a P.O.W. for a year. This was the beginning of a new interest in religion. There are stories of mystical experiences, vigils, and finally a vision of a talking crucifix in an abandoned chapel: "Francis, rebuild my church." The young Francis took this literally, and started doing repairs on dilapidated, out-of-use chapels and raising money for materials by doing odd jobs and asking for donations.

Exactly what happened between Francis and his father will never be known, but Francis admitted stealing some cloth and selling it for building funds. During the hearing, Francis told his father he could have back everything he'd ever given him. He stripped naked, and said that he was a religious ascetic. The bishop, who was holding the hearing, gave him something to wear, and Francis went to live on his own. His father never accepted reconciliation, although his mother never broke with him.

Francis was mugged for the first time within a few hours. He worked for a while as kitchen help for the Benedictines, but ended up hiring himself as a day-laborer. On Saint Matthias's day, Francis heard the gospel lession, about being mendicant preachers of the Good News of Christ. He felt called to this, and began preaching as the way he was really supposed to "rebuild the church". Although he preached, he continued to support himself by working, and did not pass a collection during his sessions. He never became a priest, though eventually he was made deacon.

Francis acquired a number of like-minded friends, and they obtained recognition from the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) as an order, outside the jurisdiction of the local authorities. Francis probably welcomed this, as a help to keep his movement out of local politics. Rome was glad to have these people who were dedicated to living the Gospel and to Bible preaching, as its special associates.

We might think that the savvy leaders of Rome, foreseeing the Protestant Reformation, intentionally promoted a crypto-Protestant like Francis who professed loyalty to the established church institutions. Francis talked a great deal about his reverence for ordained people, his fidelity to the medieval church, and so forth. His actions show that this was selective. He established the order of the Poor Clares himself, and dedicated its first members -- a function which by law was the bishop's prerogative. He read and quoted the Bible and preached boldly and powerfully from it. He emphasized personal repentance, the personal relationship with Jesus as Lord, and gratitude for the blessings of life and the sacrifice of Christ by which our salvation is obtained.

Everybody knows the stories about birds seeming to listen as Francis told them about their Creator, and how they should be grateful and happy. There are all manner of anecdotes about this curious, engaging hermit-preacher. At one point, the young Francis bought a lamb which was being taken to slaughter, and raised it as a pet. It grew up. People think the same things in all eras, and one early biographer mentions his being questioned about this by the bishop. Also mentioned is an incident in which Francis overcame sensual temptation by stripping naked and making eight snowmen. The first represented himself, able to do what he liked best -- preach, pray, and live simply. The second represented the wife he would need if he could not be contented, and he reminded himself of how much more complicated his life would become. After four children, a school teacher, and a baby sitter, and the host of responsibilities, he was able to find inner peace.

Within a decade, Francis had so many imitators that they organized at the "Chapter of Mats". Francis proved incapable of adminstering a movement, and there were soon divisions over how strict the asceticism of the movement should be. Seeking a new direction, Francis stowed away on a ship, and traveled to North Africa to try to stop the crusades. He crossed to Moslem territory got himself arrested on the presumption of being a spy. Of course the Moslems knew who he was, and found him fascinating. The Sultan in particular professed amazement at meeting a Christian who was also a person of peace and goodwill. Francis offered to be set on fire as a no-lose test -- if he lived, it would be proof of the merits of the Christian religion but if he died, it would be because of his sins. Instead, the Sultan let him tour the historical sites in the Holy Land, which were off-limits to Christians. To this day, many of these sites are maintained by Franciscans. The only gift Francis accepted from his Moslem friends was a prayer horn, which he sounded at the beginning of his sermons for the rest of his career. He gave specific orders that while Moslem areas were targets for evangelization, no Franciscan had any reason ever to speak ill of Mohammed or the Koran.

Returning home, Francis remained in public life. He negotiated one important peace settlement, and completed his "Song of Brother Sun", which he urged his emulators to play on the still-controversial guitar. On retreat, he had a vision of a crucified seraph (a theological impossibility, as he well knew), which flashed bolts of light which left him with wounds mirroring Christ's. He tried to hide these from his associates, but they reported seeing and feeling blackened, painful areas on each hand and foot and on one side of the chest. He was the first known Christian, except perhaps Paul, to bear the supposed "stigmata".

Francis died a few years after returning from the Near East. His symptoms suggest schstosomiasis, which as a visitor to Egypt he would have been a serious risk. He also suffered from an eye problem, probably trachoma, which was also endemic in Egypt. His request to be buried beneath the town gallows was honored, but the gallows was torn down and a basilica erected. Infighting in the order has blackwashed the name of Brother Elias, who did the building. The body was so well-hidden from relic-seekers that it was not found until the 1800's. Although he was not a vegetarian, forensic osteologists determined that Francis suffered from osteomalacia, from his ascetic diet.

Why remember Francis? He was a powerful, authentic Bible preacher in an era when this was rare. His message of love and gratitude goes beyond all Christian sectarianism, so that his "Song of Brother Sun" was chosen at one major interfaith gathering as the single song that everyone present -- Christian and non-Christian -- could sing together.

And Francis is special in another way, not really separate. Francis's era saw feudalism replaced by capitalism, the profit motive, and a wealthier and healthier society. Not everybody can or should be a holy hermit. Francis gave a resounding "No!" to the preoccupation with getting rich, but without advancing any political agenda or urging people to license or irresponsibility. Lenin, dying, is said to have spoken of Francis, and saying that his was the right way after all. In our day, when we see Francis's picture in a birdbath, let's remember both the goodness of nature and creation, and how much better life is when we let go of our focus on wealth and status, and seek first the Kingdom of God.

---

"The Divine Praises" Francis of Assisi You are holy, Lord, the only God, and Your deeds are wonderful. You are strong. You are great. You are the Most High. You are Almighty. You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth. You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good. You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true. You are love. You are wisdom. You are humility. You are endurance. You are rest. You are peace. You are joy and gladness. You are justice and moderation. You are all our riches, and You suffice for us. You are beauty. You are gentleness. You are our protector. You are our guardian and defender. You are our courage. You are our haven and our hope. You are our faith, our great consolation. You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Saviour.

St James San Thiago

São Tiago apóstolo, o Menor

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Apóstolo de Cristo nascido em Nazaré, primo de Jesus e irmão de Judas Tadeu, também conhecido como o Desconhecido, que o evangelista Marcos chamou de o Menor para distinguí-lo de Tiago, irmão de João, entra em cena como bispo de Jerusalém, após o martírio de Tiago, o Maior (42), e após o afastamento de Pedro de Jerusalém. Agricultor, era filho de Alfeu, um irmão de São José, e de Maria Cleófas, prima-irmã de Maria Santíssima. Tornou-se um membro altamente respeitado da recém-nascida comunidade cristã em Jerusalém e é considerado o primeiro bispo de Jerusalém, cuja igreja dirigiu por cerca de vinte anos (42-62). Também chamado de o Justo pelos primeiros cristãos devido à sua grande piedade, sua imagem austera sobressai pela Epístola que dirigiu, como uma encíclica, a todas as comunidades cristãs. Pertencem a ele as tradições Judáico-Cristã preservadas no Evangelho dos Ebionitas, Evangelho dos Hebreus, Elevações de Tiago, na última Epístola Canônica de Tiago e possivelmente em outras obras associadas a seu nome como o Protevangelium, embora haja dúvidas sobre isso. A sua epístola (carta dos Apóstolos e comunidades cristãs primitivas) apresenta autênticos ensinamentos preservados na tradição apostólica oral, com fortes expressões de admoestações e cujo texto continua atualíssimo. Foi um observador da normas judaicas, defendendo que estas normas deveriam fazer parte do Cristianismo. Com isso, tornou-se adversário de Paulo de Tarso nesta questão, mas também foi conciliador e um pregador fervoroso do ensino de Jesus. Seus ensinamentos deram origem à sucessão apostólica Cristã-Judáica de Jerusalém, que contribuiu para a sucessão Síria, Jacobita, Armênia e Georgiana. A sua Liturgia, que se assemelha àquela do Bispo Cyril de Jerusalém (386), parece ser um desenvolvimento de 5 séculos através das tradições apostólicas de Jerusalém e é ainda usada por certos ramos da ortodoxia. Durante a perseguição dos cristãos na Palestina, segundo o historiadores Hegesipo, Clemente de Alexandria e o hebreu Flavius Josephus, o apóstolo teria sido condenado por se recusar a denunciar os cristãos, sendo apedrejado até a morte, por ordem do corpo religioso do Templo, dirigido pelo sumo sacerdote Ananias. Tem sua festa votiva em primeiro de maio.

Today we say mass in honor of St James,,and remembering all his life with Jesus and their apostles..Let see the histoy of this Saint...follow after the history of in portuguese
The James whose shrine is at Santiago de Compostela, in north-west Spain, was the brother of John (possibly the Evangelist). The Gospels (Matthew 4, 21-22; Mark 1, 19-20; Luke 5, 10-11) record that they were fishermen, the sons of Zebedee, partners with Simon Peter, and called by Jesus from mending their nets beside the sea of Galilee at the beginning of his ministry. The Gospel lists of the Twelve (Matthew 10, 2-4; Mark 3, 14-19; Luke 6, 13-16) all include James and John among the first four, and from one of them (Mark 3,17) we learn that Jesus nicknamed them 'the sons of thunder' - perhaps justified by the story (Luke 9, 51-56) that they once wished to call down fire from heaven to destroy a village which had refused them hospitality.

James and John were present at the healing of Peter's mother-in-law (Mark1, 29), and at the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5, 37; Luke 8, 51). They are described in private conversation with Jesus on the mount of Olives (Mark 13, 3). They were also present, with Peter (but not Andrew), at the Transfiguration, a key event in Jesus's life (Matthew 17, 1-13; Mark 9, 2-8; Luke 9, 28-36), and again, the same three disciples are called apart from the others in Gethsemane (Matthew 26, 37; Mark 14, 33).

Their mother Salome - or they themselves - asked Jesus to accord them places on his right and his left when he came into his kingdom (Matthew 20, 20-28; Mark 10, 35-45), when they also declared themselves ready to drink from the same cup as Jesus - i.e. to accept martyrdom. Finally, the sons of Zebedee are specifically mentioned as present at one of the post-resurrection appearances (John 21, 2), on the lakeshore of Tiberias; and among those gathered in the upper room after the ascension (Acts 1, 13). The only certain fact recorded of James afterwards is his martyrdom (Acts 12, 1-2) at the hands of Herod Agrippa I (r. 41-44 A.D.).

He is known as James the Great to distinguish him from James the Less, or James the brother of the Lord (also called by Eusebius James the Just) who became a pillar of the Jerusalem community, and is thought to have been the first bishop of Jerusalem (Galatians 1, 19 and 2, 9). It seems probable that there was a third James, James the son of Alpheus, about whom little more is known.

With Peter and John, James was clearly one of Jesus's closest friends during his ministry, and as such, it is instructive to look for traces of him outside the canonical gospels. Of the 16-odd apocryphal gospels, which have come down to us in more or less fragmentary form, and several of which, to give them the appearance of greater authenticity, are attributed to people who appear in the canonical gospels (eg Thomas, and Mary of Magdala), two are attributed to James the Brother of the Lord, but none to James the Great. The only reference to James the Great in the apocryphal gospels comes in the Gospel of the Ebionites (which survives only in fragments quoted by the 4th century writer Epiphanus), where a version of the story of the call beside the lake of Tiberias is given.

James's absence from the apocryphal gospels is odd, given his pre-eminence in the canonical gospels, but might be explained in part by his early martyrdom, and in part by his departure from Jerusalem: legend has it that when the Apostles divided the known world into missionary zones, the Iberian peninsula fell to James. There is nothing intrinsically implausible about this: Spain was already a well-established part of the Roman world, and Paul, writing in 56 or 57 (Romans 15, 24 & 28), is clear about his own desire to make a missionary journey to Spain. (On the other hand, Paul was generally reluctant to visit places that had been evangelised by others, preferring to found churches of his own, so his reference might be taken as evidence against James having preceded him to Spain ... )

Walking the Via de la Plata (which follows the Roman road north from Seville) today gives you a vivid impression of the Spain James (or Paul) would have known.

7th and 8th century documents (i.e. prior to the discovery of the tomb) refer to the belief that James spent a number of years preaching in Spain before returning to Jerusalem, and martyrdom. His followers are believed to have carried his body down to the coast and put it into a stone boat, which was carried by angels and the wind beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the straits of Gibraltar), to land near Finisterre, at Padrón, on the Atlantic coast of northern Spain. The local Queen, Lupa, provided the team of oxen used to draw the body from Padrón to the site of the marble tomb (Arca Marmorica), a little way inland, which she had also provided. The saint was believed to have been buried with two of his own disciples, Athanasius and Theodore. The site of his tomb was forgotten for some 800 years.

Click here for a fuller account of the literary tradition that grew up around St James.

Early in the 9th century a hermit, Pelayo, was led by a vision to the spot. The tomb was rediscovered, and the relics authenticated as those of St James by the local bishop. Spain at this period sorely needed a new champion or focus to inspire Christians against the invading Moors. The rediscovery came therefore at a most propitious moment. And the pilgrimage began ...

Text adapted by

Br Ivanildo ssf