Feast of Saints Philip and James on May 3

Roman Catholics commemorate on Wednesday, May 3, the Feast of Saints Philip and James, two of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Popularly 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 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. Meanwhile, a concelebrated feast day mass will be presided over by Bishop Jose R. Rojas, Jr. at 8 a.m. at the Saints Philip and James Parish in Minalabac, Camarines Sur on May 3. The high mass coincides with the 440th parish fiesta having been built in 1583. The grand procession was held on May 2 while the novenario was held from April 24 to May 2. RELATED TAGS: #SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES   #FOUNDATION STONES OF THE CHURCH