St. James the Greater Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. James the Greater was one of Jesus’ first disciples. He died in 44 A.D. He gave up his life for the Faith as a martyr.
St. James the Greater did a lot to spread Christianity throughout Spain. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy Apostle in your life!
About St. James the Greater
Though little is known about the early life of St. James the Greater, it is known that he was a son of Zebedee, and that Salome was his mother. James the Greater was also the brother of St. John the Evangelist, most likely the older brother.
It is also known that James was a Galilean. He was known to be of an energetic and vehement temper. He and St. John were called “Sons of Thunder” because of this impetuous character.
The title “the Greater” is attributed to St. James to distinguish him from another of Jesus’ disciples, who is called St. James the Less. It is commonly thought that St. James the Greater was taller than St. James the Less.
According to Scripture, James was a fisherman. He was with his father and his brother, St. John, when Jesus caused Simon Peter to catch a miraculous large catch of fish. Then, Jesus called James, along with Peter and John, to be His disciples.
James is mentioned again in Scripture on the occasion of Jesus’ Transfiguration. James was one of three Apostles to witness Jesus’ Transfiguration. James was also one of three Apostles to witness Jesus raising Jairus’s daughter.
Scripture also says that James and his brother John were full of indignation at a Samaritan town that refused to receive Jesus. James and John wanted to call down fire on that town, but Jesus rebuked them.
The mother of Sts. James and John is also mentioned in Scripture as requesting that her two sons sit on either side of Jesus when He should come into His Kingdom. The Gospel of Mark indicates that they shared their mother’s ambition for themselves, and that they still did not understand the spiritual character of Jesus’ mission. When Jesus asks James and John if they are ready to drink the chalice that He drinks, they say that they are ready.
After Jesus’ Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, James preached and conducted missionary work in Israel and the Roman empire. Then, he traveled to Spain and worked to spread the Gospel there for four years.
Tradition says that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to James one day while he was praying. She asked him to build a church in her honor, and he did so.
James later went back to Jerusalem. There, King Herod had him beheaded on account of James’ Christian Faith, in the year 44 A.D. James was the first Apostle to be martyred.
James’ followers were forbidden from burying his body after his martyrdom, so they brought his remains to Compostela, Spain. They buried him there.
During the ninth century, St. James’ remains were transferred to a tomb in Santiago de Compostela. His remains are currently in the Cathedral of Santiago.
St. James the Greater’s Feast Day: July 25th
Why Pray the St. James the Greater Novena?
St. James the Greater is the patron saint of many places, including Spain, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Philippines, Badian, Pampanga, Sogod, and Cebu. You can seek his intercession if you live in one of these places or are planning to visit one of these places. You can also ask him to pray for someone you know who lives in one of these places.
Additionally, St. James the Greater is the patron saint of furriers, veterinarians, tanners, oyster fishers, woodcarvers, and pharmacists. You can ask him to pray for you if you work in one of these professions.
You can pray the St. James the Greater Novena for any intention!
St. James the Greater Novena Prayers
St. James the Greater Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. James the Greater as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed as he began on the path of following You along with his family members.
St. James the Greater, we know little about your early life. But Scripture tells us that some of your family members were present with you in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, as you began on the path to close friendship with Jesus.
Please bring my petitions before Jesus Whom you served!
Along with your brother St. John, you followed Jesus throughout His ministry. After Christ’s Ascension, you devoted yourself to spreading the Gospel.
Pray for me, that I may be as devoted a servant of Jesus as you were. Pray that I may be ready to give even my life up for God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. James the Greater, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. James the Greater Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. James the Greater as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed while he followed You as an Apostle during Your public ministry.
St. James the Greater, you were one of the first disciples Jesus called during His public ministry. Throughout the time of His public ministry, you were a very close friend of Jesus.
Please bring my petitions before the throne of Jesus, your Divine Friend!
Together with Sts. John and Peter, you were one of three Apostles Christ chose to witness the Transfiguration and the raising of Jairus’s daughter.
Pray for me, that I may strive for a truly intimate relationship with Jesus. Pray that I may always be open to growing closer to God in my spiritual life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. James the Greater, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. James the Greater Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. James the Greater as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in his eagerness to preach the Gospel.
St. James the Greater, you and your brother St. John were called the “Sons of Thunder” because of your impetuous character. As you grew in love for Christ, you turned this energetic temperament towards the work of bringing souls to God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served with such eagerness!
After Jesus’ Ascension, you actively worked preaching the Gospel throughout the world. Your missionary work did a lot for the early Church, until you ultimately gave up your life for God.
Pray for me, that I may be as eager to bring souls to God as you were. Pray that I may never weary of serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. James the Greater, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. James the Greater Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. James the Greater as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed when he left everything to follow You.
St. James the Greater, you left behind your life as a fisherman when Christ called you to serve Him as an Apostle. Though you could not have known that your life would take such a turn, you eagerly opened yourself up to God’s will for your life.
Please bring my petitions before Christ Whom you joined so eagerly!
You served Jesus as one of His closest friends until His Ascension into Heaven. Then, you devoted the rest of your life to preaching the Gospel until you were martyred.
Pray for me, that I may always be ready to open myself up to God’s will in my life. Pray that I may be eager to serve Him in whatever ways He might call me to.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. James the Greater, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. James the Greater Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. James the Greater as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed by giving up his life to follow You and to serve Your Church.
St. James the Greater, you were called by Jesus to serve as one of His Apostles during His public ministry. After Christ’s Ascension, you were one of the first bishops of the Church.
Please bring my petitions before God to Whom you devoted your life!
You traveled throughout Israel, Rome, and Spain to preach the Gospel. Your work for the early Church brought many souls to God.
Pray for me, that I may be eager to devote my life to God in whatever ways He calls me to. Pray that I may never weary of seeking to do God’s will.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. James the Greater, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. James the Greater Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. James the Greater as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his tireless missionary efforts for the early Church.
St. James, you obeyed Christ’s command to preach the Gospel to all nations. After He ascended into Heaven, you spent years preaching in Israel, Rome, and Spain.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
After working to spread the Gospel in Spain for four years, you returned to Jerusalem. There, you sacrificed your life for the sake of the Gospel when King Herod had you beheaded.
Pray for me, that I may always take every opportunity to help bring souls to God. Pray that I may do all I can to spread the Gospel to others around me.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. James the Greater, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. James the Greater Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. James the Greater as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in continuously preaching the Gospel and serving God for many years.
St. James the Greater, you zealously set out to win souls for Christ after He ascended into Heaven. You preached the Gospel in Israel and the Roman Empire, and you spent decades preaching in Spain.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so zealously!
You persevered against difficulties and persecution in order to preach the Gospel. Ultimately, you persevered in your Faith to the point of death when you were beheaded by Herod.
Pray for me, that I may persevere in my Faith despite any hardships I might face. Pray that I may never weary of serving God faithfully, no matter the cost.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. James the Greater, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. James the Greater Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. James the Greater as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in courageously serving You.
St. James the Greater, you attested that you were ready to drink the chalice of suffering that Christ would drink. Though you did not fully understand Christ’s mission, you were willing to suffer for Him.
Please bring my petitions before Jesus Whom you served so courageously!
After Christ’s Ascension, you devoted the rest of your life to preaching the Gospel throughout Israel, the Roman Empire, and Spain. When you returned to Jerusalem after many years, you courageously endured martyrdom.
Pray for me, that I may always have the courage to remain faithful, no matter the cost. Pray that I may never waver in my devotion to God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. James the Greater, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. James the Greater Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. James the Greater as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his years of tireless service to Your Church.
St. James the Greater, you were one of the first Apostles called by Christ. You served Jesus eagerly during His time on earth, and you devoted yourself to His Church after He ascended into Heaven.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so devotedly!
As one of the Church’s first bishops, you devoted your life to preaching the Gospel and bringing souls to God. Your work greatly impacted and strengthened the early Church.
Pray for me, that I may serve the Church as eagerly as you did. Pray that I may always be eager to put my gifts to use serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. James the Greater, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.