By G. Dolf Olorin (attribution for research and some drafting to Super Grok and references provided)
Introduction
Today, May 3rd, is the Feast Day of Saint James the Less, and Saint Philip, Apostles and Martyrs. James the Less often overshadowed by his namesake, James the Greater, holds a significant yet understated place among the Twelve Apostles. Known for his quiet devotion and leadership in the early Christian Church, James the Less is a figure of humility and steadfast faith. This article explores his identity, family, relationships with key figures like Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Paul, and Saint Peter, his possible presence at Saint Mary’s Assumption, the authorship of the Epistle of James, and the circumstances of his martyrdom.
Identity and Parentage
Saint James the Less, also called James the Younger or James the Just, was one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles. His designation as “the Less” likely distinguishes him from James, son of Zebedee (James the Greater), possibly due to his younger age, shorter stature, or later call to discipleship. According to tradition, he was the son of Alphaeus (also referred to as Cleophas or Clopas) and Mary, a woman closely associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Mary is often identified as Mary of Cleophas, described in John 19:25 as standing at the foot of the Cross alongside the Virgin Mary. Early Church sources, including 5th-century theologian Jerome and 1st-century bishop Papias of Hierapolis, suggest that Mary of Cleophas was either a sister or close relative of the Blessed Virgin, making James a cousin of Jesus. In Jewish custom, close relatives were sometimes referred to as “brothers,” which explains why James is occasionally called “the brother of the Lord” (Galatians 1:19). Catholic tradition, upholding the perpetual virginity of Mary, interprets this term as indicating a cousin or close kinsman, not a biological sibling.
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich on Saint Anne, Her First Daughter, and the Blessed Virgin Mary
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774–1824), a German Augustinian nun and mystic, provided detailed visions of the life of the Holy Family, recorded in works such as The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to her visions, Saint Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was a devout and holy woman who, with her husband Saint Joachim, longed for a child to dedicate to God’s service. Emmerich describes Anne as having been married multiple times, a detail not found in canonical Scriptures but present in some apocryphal traditions like the Protoevangelium of James. In her first marriage to a man named Heli, Anne bore a daughter, also named Mary, who later became the mother of several of Jesus’ disciples, including James the Less, through her marriage to Cleophas (Alphaeus). This first daughter, Mary of Cleophas, is distinct from the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was born later to Anne and Joachim.
Emmerich’s visions emphasize Anne’s spiritual preparation for the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom she describes as conceived without original sin, in accordance with the Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. Anne and Joachim, after years of barrenness, dedicated Mary to God, presenting her in the Temple at a young age. Emmerich portrays Anne as a model of patience, humility, and faith, whose life was marked by prayer and charity. The Blessed Virgin Mary, in Emmerich’s account, grew up in a household of profound holiness, with Anne fostering her daughter’s unique role as the future Mother of God. Mary of Cleophas, the older half-sister, maintained a close relationship with the Blessed Virgin, and their familial bond extended to their children, including James the Less, who became an apostle.
Relationship with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary
As a cousin of Jesus, James the Less shared a familial bond that likely deepened his commitment to Christ’s mission. His mother’s presence at the Crucifixion suggests a family closely tied to Jesus’ life and ministry. While the Gospels provide little detail about James’ interactions with Jesus during His earthly life, his inclusion among the Apostles indicates a personal call to follow Christ (Mark 3:18). After the Resurrection, James witnessed the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7), an encounter that solidified his role in the early Church. His relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary was likely one of familial affection and reverence, given their close kinship and shared devotion to Jesus. As a leader in Jerusalem, James may have supported Mary in her later years, though direct evidence of their interactions is scarce.
Presence at the Funeral and Assumption of Mary in Ephesus
Tradition holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary spent her final years in Ephesus, under the care of Saint John the Apostle. Some accounts, such as those derived from the visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, suggest Mary lived in Ephesus for nine years before her Assumption, which is celebrated on August 15 in the Catholic Church. There is no definitive historical or biblical evidence that James the Less traveled to Ephesus for Mary’s funeral and Assumption. However, as a prominent apostle and relative, it is plausible that he could have been present or at least aware of these events, especially if he maintained contact with John. The lack of explicit references in early sources leaves this question open to speculation, with some traditions suggesting James remained primarily in Jerusalem, focusing on his role as bishop.
Relationship with Saint Paul and Saint Peter
James the Less held a distinguished position in the early Christian community, particularly as the first Bishop of Jerusalem. His relationships with Saint Paul and Saint Peter were marked by collaboration and mutual respect, though not without moments of tension. Saint Paul refers to James as a “pillar” of the Church alongside Peter and John (Galatians 2:9), indicating his authority. Paul met James during his visits to Jerusalem, including after his conversion (Galatians 1:19) and during the Council of Jerusalem around 50 A.D. (Acts 15). At this council, James played a pivotal role, mediating between Jewish and Gentile Christians. He supported Peter’s stance that Gentile converts were not required to follow Mosaic Law, proposing practical guidelines to foster unity (Acts 15:13-21). This decision reflects James’ ability to balance Jewish traditions with the expanding Gentile mission.
However, tensions arose when some Jewish Christians, reportedly “from James,” caused Peter to withdraw from eating with Gentiles in Antioch, leading Paul to confront Peter (Galatians 2:12). While this suggests differing approaches to Jewish-Gentile relations, James himself did not directly advocate for strict observance, and Paul later sought his counsel (Acts 21:18). James’ relationship with Peter was one of shared leadership, with James taking a prominent role in Jerusalem after Peter’s departure. Their collaboration at the Council of Jerusalem highlights a partnership aimed at unifying the diverse early Church.
The Epistle of James: Authorship and Summary
Saint James the Less is traditionally recognized as the author of the Epistle of James, a canonical letter in the New Testament, likely written between 49 and 62 A.D. Scholars propose various dates, with some suggesting it predates Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (57–58 A.D.) due to its emphasis on practical faith, possibly addressing early misunderstandings of Paul’s teachings. Others place it closer to James’ martyrdom in 62 A.D., reflecting his mature leadership as Bishop of Jerusalem. Addressed to the “twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (James 1:1), the epistle targets Jewish Christians scattered outside Palestine but offers universal guidance for Christian living. Its direct, wisdom-literature style echoes Jewish traditions like the Book of Proverbs, emphasizing ethical conduct rooted in faith.
While there is no substitute for reading and contemplating The Epistle of James, and as encouragement to hold the Bible in hand and read it, we humbly provide this summary as follows:
- Joy in Trials (James 1:2–18): James opens by encouraging believers to consider trials as opportunities for spiritual growth, fostering perseverance and maturity (1:2–4). He advises seeking God’s wisdom with unwavering faith (1:5–8) and warns against blaming God for temptation, which stems from human desires (1:13–15). He emphasizes God’s goodness as the source of all gifts (1:17–18).
- Hearing and Doing the Word (James 1:19–27): James urges Christians to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, emphasizing obedience to God’s word (1:19–22). He compares mere hearers to those who forget their reflection in a mirror, while doers live out the “perfect law of liberty” (1:23–25). True religion involves controlling speech, caring for orphans and widows, and remaining unstained by the world (1:26–27).
- Avoiding Partiality (James 2:1–13): James condemns favoritism, particularly showing preference to the wealthy over the poor (2:1–7). He calls for adherence to the “royal law” of loving one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18), noting that partiality violates this command (2:8–9). Mercy, he teaches, triumphs over judgment (2:12–13).
- Faith and Works (James 2:14–26): One of the epistle’s most famous teachings, James asserts that “faith without works is dead” (2:17, 26). He challenges the notion that mere belief suffices, using examples of Abraham and Rahab, whose faith was completed by their actions (2:21–25). This complements Paul’s emphasis on justification by faith, clarifying that genuine faith naturally produces good deeds.
- Taming the Tongue (James 3:1–12): James warns of the tongue’s power to bless or curse, likening it to a small spark that ignites a forest fire (3:5–6). He calls for speech that reflects Christian integrity, noting the inconsistency of praising God while cursing others (3:9–12).
- Wisdom and Humility (James 3:13–4:12): James contrasts earthly wisdom, marked by envy and selfish ambition, with heavenly wisdom, characterized by purity, peace, and mercy (3:13–18). He addresses conflicts arising from covetousness, urging humility and submission to God (4:1–10). He also cautions against slandering others, reserving judgment for God alone (4:11–12).
- Warnings to the Rich and Exhortations to Patience (James 4:13–5:12): James critiques those who boast about future plans without acknowledging God’s will (4:13–17) and condemns the rich who oppress the poor, hoarding wealth unjustly (5:1–6). He encourages patience in suffering, citing the prophets and Job as examples, and stresses the importance of honest speech (5:7–12).
- Prayer and Community (James 5:13–20): The epistle concludes with a call to prayer in all circumstances—suffering, joy, or sickness (5:13–15). James highlights the power of communal prayer, especially by the righteous, and the importance of confessing sins to one another (5:16). He cites Elijah’s effective prayers and urges believers to restore those who stray from the truth, saving their souls (5:17–20).
Martyrdom of Saint James the Less
According to early Church historians Eusebius and Hegesippus, James the Less was martyred in Jerusalem in the spring of 62 A.D., during the Passover festival. Known as “James the Just” for his piety and adherence to Jewish law, he was highly respected even by non-Christian Jews. However, his bold proclamation of Jesus as the Son of Man, seated at God’s right hand, enraged some Jewish authorities. They threw him from the pinnacle of the Temple, and though he survived the fall, he was subsequently stoned and beaten to death with a fuller’s club. As he died, James prayed for his persecutors, echoing Jesus’ forgiveness from the Cross. He was buried near the Temple, where a small column marked his martyrdom.
Conclusion
Saint James the Less, though less prominent in the Gospels, was a cornerstone of the early Church. As the son of Alphaeus and Mary of Cleophas, a cousin of Jesus, and a leader in Jerusalem, he played a crucial role in shaping Christianity’s formative years. His relationships with Paul and Peter reflect a commitment to unity amid diversity, while his Epistle of James remains a timeless guide for practical faith. Celebrated on May 3 alongside Saint Philip, James the Less inspires Christians to live with humility, perseverance, and active faith.
References:
- Catholic Encyclopedia, “St. James the Less”
- Eusebius and Hegesippus, via Catholic Online
- Jerome, “The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary”
- Acts of the Apostles, Galatians, 1 Corinthians
- Epistle of James
- Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Protoevangelium of James
