POWERFUL NOVENA TO SAINT JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE – DAY 9 (For a Deeper Relationship with Christ)

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.

______________________________

Opening Prayer for Day 9

O Glorious St. James, Apostle of Christ, as we round up our novena prayers today, we seek your intercession for a deeper relationship with Christ. You walked closely with Jesus and experienced His love and power firsthand. Help us to grow in our love for the Lord and to follow Him more closely each day. May we seek to know Him more deeply and to abide in His love, drawing strength and nourishment from our relationship with Him. Amen. (Add your personal intention).

Scriptural Reading, Life, Examples & Legacies (Part 9)

John 15:4-5 – “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

______________________

Meditative Prayer: St. James, you walked closely with Jesus and experienced His love and power firsthand. Your intimate relationship with Him was the source of your strength and the foundation of your ministry. Reflecting on your example, we ask for your intercession to help us cultivate a deeper and more intimate relationship with Christ. May we seek to know Him more deeply and to abide in His love, drawing strength and nourishment from our relationship with Him. Help us to remain connected to the vine, recognizing that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. May our lives bear fruit as we grow in our love for Him and seek to follow His teachings faithfully.

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, draw us closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we always seek to grow in our love for Him and to follow His teachings faithfully. Help us to abide in His love, drawing strength and nourishment from our relationship with Him. May our lives bear fruit as we remain connected to the vine, recognizing that, apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Shalom!
Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Seminário Padre Pedro Magnone, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
___________________________________

PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?