25 July 2016 - Reflection on St James and St Christopher on their feast day

      It is interesting - July 25 is the feast of St James, one of the most revered saints in the Catholic faith. For 4 1/2 years, I was the pastor of St James Catholic Church in Tupelo, Mississippi.  James’ martyrdom - as the first of the apostles to be martyred - is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.  James is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament.  Jesus even had a nickname for him and his brother John - the Sons of Thunder.  James is one of the three apostles who accompanied Jesus to the mountain at the Transfiguration.  And tradition has it that James is the first person to whom an apparition of the Blessed Mother appeared - Our Lady of the Pillar - to encourage him in his missionary work in Spain. 

        But what about St Christopher?  His feast day is also July 25.  He was revered for centuries, but later his feast day was removed from the Church's liturgical calendar because the Church is not sure about the details of his life or if he really existed.  From what I can tell, Christopher is still recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.  However, his feast day is no longer in our Church’s liturgical calendar.  It is said by tradition that he was an early martyr in the Church, but not much is known about him.  His name Christopher means “Christ bearer.”  It is said that he carried the little child Jesus across a river to safety.  Maybe his real name was never known and he was given that name for what he did.  Christopher and many of the early saints were never formally canonized in Rome, but instead were recognized as saints by the early Christian communities.  Christopher’s feast day is still recognized by parishes bearing his name and those who have a devotion to that saint, even though he is no longer in the Church’s liturgical calendar.  

         I love the saints and believe that there is something we can learn from each of them.  St James is certainly a big presence in my life.  When I get discouraged as priest, which definitely can happened, when I am insulted or criticized or ostracized by someone, which believe me has happened, I think of St James and his courage and tenacity. There five times I have been on pilgrimage of St James in Spain have had a huge influence on me.  Every time I go to Spain on pilgrimage, I feel that I am entering a holy land.  Even though some days I have wondered if I can make to the next day as a priest, with St James and the Blessed Mother and many of the other members of the community of saints, I feel their help and encouragement to carry on to the next day.