May 3
The feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles. Of the two, Philip, like Peter and Andrew, was born in Bethsaida, and having become a disciple of John the Baptist, he was called by the Lord to follow him. James, the son of Alpheus, whom the Latins hold to be the same as “the brother of the Lord,” was called “the Just”; he was the first to rule the church in Jerusalem and, when the controversy about circumcision arose, he agreed with Peter’s judgment that the old yoke should not be imposed on disciples from among the gentiles; he soon crowned his apostleship with martyrdom.
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May Holy Mary and all the saints intercede to the Lord for us, that we may merit to be helped and saved by him who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
V. Precious in the sight of the Lord
R. Is the death of his holy ones.
V. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. And may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in pace.
R. Amen
[To learn about praying this and other Martyrology entries, see this page.]
