Roman Catholics observe Monday, May 3, the Feast of Saints Philip and James, two of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.
Known as the “Foundation Stones of the Church,” the saints share a feast day because their sacred relics were brought together from the East to Rome. The relics of of the well-known saints may be found at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Rome, Italy. Pilgrims have been venerating the site as early as the year 563.
St. Philip was one of Jesus’ first disciples. He became His follower after Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River. St. James the Less or the younger was the brother of St. Jude. He served as the first bishop of Jerusalem and authored one of the Catholic Epistles in the New Testament, the Letter of St. James. He was called “the just” on account of his holiness.
Both were martyred for standing by their faith. Their names are mentioned in the first list in the Canon of the Mass.