May 3
STS. PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES

Like Peter and Andrew, St. Philip was from Bethsaida. He was crucified at Hierapolis in Phrygia where he had preached the Gospel. He introduced St. Bartholomew to Christ. Christ declared to Philip, “He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father… I am in the Father and the Father in me.” (John 14:8-9).

St. James was a cousin of our Lord. He was called James the Less, to distinguish him from the other James. As Bishop of Jerusalem, he wrote one of the epistles of the New Testament. St. James was thrown down from the terrace of the Temple and then stoned to death. The names of Philip and James are mentioned in the Roman Canon.

COLLECT

O God, who gladden us each year with the feast day of the Apostles Philip and James, grant us through their prayers a share in the Passion and Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son, so that we may merit to behold you for eternity. Through our Lord.

ORIGINAL PHOTO SOURCE: https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/7a0c4-san2bfelipe2by2bsantiago252c2bap25c325b3stoles.jpg