Saint James the Greater

St. James the Greater, the tallest of the two apostles with the same name, was the brother of St. John the Evangelist (the beloved). James and John were fishing with their father when Jesus invited them to follow Him. They became deeply passionate followers of Christ (who named them Sons of Thunder) and they witnessed many miracles during His ministry. James was one of three witnesses to Jesus’ Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.

James’ mother is known for asking Jesus to secure a place of honour for her sons, in His Kingdom. When He asked James and John if they were able to drink the cup He was about to drink, their answer was yes. Jesus said they would indeed drink His cup (Matthew 20:20-23).

James was the first Apostle to be martyred. He was beheaded by King Herod in Jerusalem at Easter in the year 44. His body was taken to Compostela, Spain, and his remains can be found in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the final destination of the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James). July 25th is the Feast of St. James the Greater. He is the patron saint of pilgrims.

Saint Anne

St. Anne is the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the grandmother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Anne and her husband, Joachim, were childless. In their old age, Joachim went to offer sacrifice to the Lord in the Temple on a Feast Day, where he was shunned under the pretext that men without offspring were unworthy to be admitted. In his sadness he went into the mountains to pray to God. St. Anne, hearing of this, wept bitterly, beseeching the Lord to end her sterility, and promising to offer their child to the service of God. That day, an angel visited both Anne and Joachim, promising that they would conceive, and that the child would be most blessed in all the world.

St. Anne is the Principal Patron of the Province of Quebec, where stands the famous Basilica of St. Anne-de-Beaupre along the St. Lawrence River. Housed there are three relics of St. Anne, as well as famous documentations of healings and interventions attributed to the Saint herself. The Feast of St. Anne is July 26th.