POWERFUL NOVENA TO SAINT JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE – DAY 7 (For Courage to Evangelize)

Brief biographical Notes: St. James the Greater was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and is often distinguished by his close relationship with Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of John the Apostle. James and John, known as the “Sons of Thunder,” were among the first disciples called by Jesus. They left their fishing nets and family to follow Him, demonstrating their profound commitment and faith. James was part of Jesus’ inner circle, along with Peter and John, witnessing significant events such as the Transfiguration and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. This close association highlights his prominent role among the Apostles. James is not to be confused with James the Less, who is also one of the Twelve Apostles but is believed to be the son of Alphaeus. James the Less is sometimes identified with James, the brother of Jesus, who played a leading role in the Jerusalem Church and is often associated with the Epistle of James in the New Testament. James the Greater’s zeal and fervor for Christ led to his martyrdom. According to Acts 12:1-2, he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I, making him the first Apostle to be martyred. His remains are traditionally believed to be enshrined in Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a major pilgrimage site that has inspired the famous Camino de Santiago. St. James the Greater is the patron saint of Spain, pilgrims, and labourers. Pilgrims have revered his shrine at Santiago de Compostela for centuries, embarking on the Camino de Santiago as a spiritual journey in his honour. His feast day is celebrated on July 25, and he is often depicted with symbols of pilgrimage such as a scallop shell, a pilgrim’s hat, and a staff.

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Opening Prayer for Day 7

O Glorious St. James, Apostle of Christ, we seek your intercession today as we pray for the courage to evangelize. You fearlessly preached the Gospel and brought many to Christ, despite facing persecution and danger. Help us to be bold witnesses to the truth of the Gospel, sharing the love of Christ with all we meet. May we follow your example of courage and zeal in spreading the message of salvation, confident that the Holy Spirit will guide and empower us. Amen. (Add your personal intention).

Scriptural Reading, Life, Examples & Legacies (Part 7)

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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Meditative Prayer: St. James, you fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel, even in the face of persecution and danger. Your courage and zeal in spreading the message of Christ inspire us to be bold witnesses to the truth of the Gospel. Reflecting on your example, we ask for your intercession to help us overcome our fears and to share our faith with others. May we always be ready to give an account of the hope that is within us, and to share the love of Christ with all we meet. Help us to trust in the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, confident that He will give us the words and the courage to speak. May our lives testify to the power of the Gospel, drawing others to Christ.

Litany to St. James the Greater:

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

St. James, close companion of Jesus, pray for us.
St. James, who witnessed the Transfiguration, pray for us.
St. James, who desired to drink the cup of Jesus, pray for us.
St. James, patron of pilgrims, pray for us.
St. James, preacher of the Gospel, pray for us.
St. James, faithful to the end, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O glorious St. James, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Concluding Prayer

Heavenly Father, through the intercession of St. James, grant us the courage to evangelize and to boldly proclaim Your truth. Help us to overcome our fears and to share our faith with others. May we always be ready to give an account of the hope that is within us, and to share the love of Christ with all we meet. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Shalom!
Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Seminário Padre Pedro Magnone, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?