St. James the Greater Novena is prayed for Spain and for pilgrims since he is the patron saint of pilgrims.
St. James the Greater was one of Jesus Christ’s Twelve Apostles. Since he was either older or taller than the other apostle named James, he was dubbed “the Greater.”
About St. James the Greater
The Camino de Santiago is named after St. James, the patron saint of Spain. St. James the Greater’s early life is unknown, while it is known that he is the son of Zebedee and Salome, as well as the brother of John the disciple.
As the son of the Virgin Mary’s sister and the brother of St. Jude Thaddeus, St James the Greater was one of Jesus Christ’s disciples and is regarded to be his cousin. With his brother, John, his father, Zebedee, and his partner, Simon, he worked as a fisherman. John and James were John the Baptist’s and later Jesus’ disciples.
James and his brother John once enraged the other apostles. They told the Lord that they believed they deserved a special place in his realm.
They boasted that they would be able to sacrifice their lives in the same way that Jesus would. The brothers were taken aside by Jesus. They didn’t grasp what meaningful service to others entailed, he said. He claimed that everyone who aspired to be truly great must serve others. Jesus was attempting to instill in them a sense of what he expected of them.
St. James the Greater is known as the patron saint of pilgrims because, after establishing Christianity on the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Galicia), he made a trip to Judaea and was executed. The scallop shell, which may be found on the shores of Galicia, became the recognized symbol of all pilgrims on the Camino. Pilgrims wore the scallop shell on their hats when they returned home to signify that they had carried out their holy intentions.
Facts
Novena Starts: July 16th
Feast Day: July 25th
Birth: 1
Death: 44
Significance of St. James the Greater Novena
The Feast Day of St James the Greater is observed on July 25th across Spain, particularly in Santiago de Compostela. A firework show marks the end of a two-week event every year.
The year becomes a Camino Holy Year when the Feast of St James falls on a Sunday, also known as a Year of Compostela or Jacobean Year. Visitors to Santiago’s Cathedral can acquire a plenary indulgence during these years. During Holy Years, the Camino roads become quite crowded, so pilgrims must plan ahead!
Read more: Novena to Saints Perpetua and Felicity
St. James the Greater Novena
Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Intro Prayer
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity, Jesus chose you to witness His glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden.
Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life.
Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
Intercede for me also in this petition
<<mention your special request>>
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Intro Prayer
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity, Jesus chose you to witness His glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden.
Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life.
Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
Intercede for me also in this petition
<<mention your special request>>
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Read more: St. Josemaria Escriva Novena
Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Intro Prayer
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity, Jesus chose you to witness His glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden.
Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life.
Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
Intercede for me also in this petition
<<mention your special request>>
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Intro Prayer
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity, Jesus chose you to witness His glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden.
Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life.
Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
Intercede for me also in this petition
<<mention your special request>>
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Intro Prayer
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity, Jesus chose you to witness His glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden.
Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life.
Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
Intercede for me also in this petition
<<mention your special request>>
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Read more: St. Alexander Novena
Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Intro Prayer
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity, Jesus chose you to witness His glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden.
Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life.
Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
Intercede for me also in this petition
<<mention your special request>>
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Intro Prayer
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity, Jesus chose you to witness His glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden.
Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life.
Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
Intercede for me also in this petition
<<mention your special request>>
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Intro Prayer
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity, Jesus chose you to witness His glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden.
Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life.
Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
Intercede for me also in this petition
<<mention your special request>>
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Intro Prayer
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity, Jesus chose you to witness His glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden.
Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life.
Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
Intercede for me also in this petition
<<mention your special request>>
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Saint James the Great, Pray for us.
Read more: Fulton Sheen Novena For Canonization
