Para os católicos, dia de festa! Dia de celebrar São Tiago, um dos 12 apóstolos; aquele que evangelizou até a Europa. Na Espanha, costuma-se fazer o místico Caminho de Santiago de Compostela (que hoje deve estar lotado). Porém, a melhor comemoração é fazer uma boa oração e celebrar a Eucaristia.
Extraído de: http://is.gd/kiOevy
DIA DE SÃO TIAGO
Hoje é dia de São Tiago, dito o “maior”, era filho de Zebedeu e Salomé (Mc 15,49; cf Mt 27,56) e irmão mais velho de João, o evangelista, com quem foi chamado entre os primeiros discípulos por Jesus e foi solícito em segui-lo (Mc 1,19s; Mt 4,21s; Lc 5,10). É sempre colocado entre os três primeiros Apóstolos (Mc 3, 17; Mt 10,2; Lc 6,14; At 1,13). Pronto e impetuoso de caráter, figura entre os prediletos do Mestre, como o irmão, Pedro e André. Assiste à cura súbita da sogra de Pedro (Mc 1,29-31), à ressurreição da filha de Jairo (Mc 5, 37-43; Lc 8, 51-56), à transfiguração de Jesus no Tabor (Mc 9,2-8; Mt 17, 1-8; Lc 9, 28-36); com os outros três interroga Jesus sobre os tempos precursores do fim (Mc 13, 1-8). depois, com Pedro e João, é chamado por Jesus a vigiar no Getsêmani (Mc 14, 33s; Mt 26, 37s). Visou com ambição aos primeiros postos no reino, garantindo estar pronto para tudo, e suscitou a reação dos demais apóstolos e a advertência de Jesus no sentido de outro primado: o do serviço e do martírio (Mc 10, 35-45; Mt 20,20-28). A profecia que então Jesus lhe fez, prenunciando que haveria de “beber com ele o cálice do sacrifício”, realizou-se plenamente ao ser Tiago o primeiro dentre os Apóstolos a dar sangue pelo Senhor, tendo sido decapitado por Herodes Agripa I, durante as festas pascais, em 42-43 (At 12, 1-2). Segundo uma antiga tradição, teria sido o evangelizador da Espanha. A partir do Séc. IX, são Tiago teve um culto extraordinário em Compostela, Espanha, a qual o teve como protetor de sua fé e liberdade contra os mouros. Esse santuário tornou-se para a Europa um dos maiores lugares de peregrinação na Idade Média e depois.
ORAÇÃO A SÃO TIAGO
Apóstolo Santiago, escolhido entre os primeiros, tu foste o primeiro a beber do cálice do Senhor, e és o grande protetor dos peregrinos; fazei-nos fortes na fé e alegres na esperança, em nosso caminhar de peregrinos seguindo o caminho da Vida de Cristo e alenta-nos para que finalmente, alcancemos a glória de Deus Pai. Assim Seja.

Extraído de ACI Digital.
IN ENGLISH –
For Catholics, it’s a day of celebration! It’s the day to celebrate Saint James, one of the 12 apostles; the one who evangelized as far as Europe. In Spain, people customarily undertake the mystical Camino de Santiago de Compostela (which must be packed today). However, the best way to celebrate is to offer a good prayer and celebrate the Eucharist.
Excerpted from: http://is.gd/kiOevy
SAINT JAMES’ DAY
Today is the day of Saint James, known as “the Greater.” He was the son of Zebedee and Salome (Mark 15:49; cf. Matt 27:56) and the elder brother of John the Evangelist, with whom he was among the first disciples called by Jesus and was eager to follow Him (Mark 1:19s; Matt 4:21s; Luke 5:10). He is always listed among the first three Apostles (Mark 3:17; Matt 10:2; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). Quick and impetuous in character, he stood among the Master’s favorites, like his brother, Peter, and Andrew. He witnessed the sudden healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31), the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37-43; Luke 8:51-56), and Jesus’ transfiguration on Mount Tabor (Mark 9:2-8; Matt 17:1-8; Luke 9:28-36); with the other three, he questioned Jesus about the signs preceding the end (Mark 13:1-8). Later, with Peter and John, he was called by Jesus to watch in Gethsemane (Mark 14:33s; Matt 26:37s). He ambitiously sought the first places in the kingdom, assuring that he was ready for anything, and provoked the reaction of the other apostles and Jesus’ warning about another kind of primacy: that of service and martyrdom (Mark 10:35-45; Matt 20:20-28). The prophecy Jesus then made to him, foretelling that he would “drink with him the cup of sacrifice,” was fully realized when James became the first among the Apostles to shed blood for the Lord, having been beheaded by Herod Agrippa I during the Passover feasts in 42-43 A.D. (Acts 12:1-2). According to ancient tradition, he was the evangelizer of Spain. From the 9th century onwards, Saint James received extraordinary veneration in Compostela, Spain, which held him as the protector of its faith and freedom against the Moors. This sanctuary became one of the greatest pilgrimage sites in Europe during the Middle Ages and beyond.
PRAYER TO SAINT JAMES
Apostle James, chosen among the first, you were the first to drink from the cup of the Lord, and you are the great protector of pilgrims; make us strong in faith and joyful in hope, as we journey as pilgrims following the path of Christ’s Life, and encourage us so that we may finally attain the glory of God the Father. Amen.