July 25 St. James the Greater in Spain

 

Saint James (and St. Christopher) with Fray Luis Jayme, OFM, CA protomartyr

July 25

St. James the Greater in Spain

1.       Yes, we have St. James traveling all the way to Spain on an evangelical mission.

2.       While there, he receives a mystical visit from Mary, the mother of Jesus.

3.       The Bible records his death in Jerusalem in the book of Acts.  King Herod Agrippa had James executed "by the sword," most likely indicating beheading.

4.       Somehow his remains or relics made their way back to Spain.

“Santiago” is derived from the Latin Sancti Iacobi, with Jacob being the equivalent of James.  Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica is the reputed Spanish burial place of Saint James the Great, one of the apostles and among the most intimate circle of Jesus Christ (Peter, James & John). This James is the brother of John, with “greater” or “older” to distinguish from the other apostle James (the Less). The basilica has historically been a place of Christian pilgrimage on the Way of St. James since the Early Middle Ages. The scallop or "cockle” shell is the primary symbol of St. James and the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. It is also a symbol of baptism, used in decoration. Although there is no California Mission named after St. James, his importance to Spanish national spirituality should be noted, and the scallop shell can be found in mission artwork.

Santiago Matamoros or St. James the Moor-slayer is another Spanish title of Saint James the Great/Santiago de Compostela. As a patron saint of Spain, he plays a role in the Reconquista or reclaiming of territory within España after Islamic occupation. (See for example, St. Ferdinand, May 30!)  The iconography of James Matamoros was used in the Spanish colonization of the Americas as a rival force to the indigenous gods, and protector of Spaniards from the indigenous peoples of the Americas. He was depicted as a conquistador. ¡Santiago! or ¡Santiago y cierra España! has been the historical battle cry of Spanish armies.

Note that Our Lady of the Pillar (Spanish: Nuestra Señora del Pilar) is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the context of the traditional belief that Mary, while living in Jerusalem, supernaturally appeared to the Apostle James the Greater in AD 40 while he was preaching in what is now Spain. Those who adhere to this belief consider this appearance to be the only recorded instance of Mary exhibiting the mystical phenomenon of bilocation. Among Catholics, it is also considered the first Marian apparition and is unique because it occurred while Mary was still living on Earth.

The apparition is enshrined in Zaragoza, Spain, with a statue of the Madonna and Child that sits atop a pillar. The feast of Our Lady is celebrated on October 12^th, the day that Christopher Columbus's expedition arrived in the Americas. He went ashore at Guanahaní, an island in the Bahamas, on October 12, 1492.

I also take this occasion to highlight Fray Luis Jaime, OFM, protomartyr of California, who died at Mission San Diego on November 5, 1775. Jaime is a form of the name James. 

July 5 Our Lady of Refuge (Refuge of Sinners)

 

Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners (Latin: Refugium Peccatorum) is a traditional devotional title for the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Roman Catholic Church, emphasizing her maternal role as a powerful intercessor, protector, and source of mercy for those who have strayed from God. Taken from the ancient Litany of Loreto, the title frames Mary as a spiritual "safe haven" from temptation, vice, and despair. Two ways of depicting her have emerged: the older style is of the royally crowned Madonna and toddler Jesus. This image can be found at several of the California Franciscan missions. The second, which is also seen as Mother of Mercy, is of Mary’s mantle sheltering or perhaps even “hiding” the Faithful within it.

I am posting an essay from the Archdiocese of San Francisco website. Ironically, in 2026, July 5^th falls on a Sunday, and so Our Lady misses out this year!

Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners: the forgotten patroness of California

By Father Vincent Woo and Jacek Nowicki -posted July 5, 2025

While it is commonly known that St. Junípero Serra was instrumental in bringing the Catholic faith to California, most are unaware that Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners is actually the patroness of [both] California[s]. In fact, the feast of Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners is an obligatory memorial that should be celebrated in all California dioceses on July 5 each year, unless it falls on a Sunday. The purpose of this article is to introduce the historical background of this devotion, its spiritual significance and its pastoral application.

In 1843, the first bishop of the Californias, Francisco García Diego y Moreno, designated Our Lady of Refuge as the patroness of the new diocese, alongside St. Francis of Assisi and St. Francis de Sales as secondary patrons. However, these patrons were not automatically transferred to the newly established Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1853. The papal bull establishing the Archdiocese did not indicate a patron. Evidence suggests that this feast continued to be observed on July 4 from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. However, from 1907 to the early 1980s, this feast practically disappeared from the archdiocesan liturgical calendars.

In 1981, in a memo to all the bishops of California, Cardinal Timothy Manning (then Archbishop of Los Angeles) wrote that the patronage of California under the title of Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners, had never been revoked. As the majority of California bishops favored the restoration of this feast, they petitioned the Vatican for authorization to observe the feast of Our Lady of Refuge on July 5 as an obligatory memorial in all California dioceses. Permission was granted in 1982, and the observance of this memorial began to reappear in the annual Ordo of all [upper] California dioceses beginning in 1983.

What is the spiritual significance of this feast? St. Alphonsus Liguori, in his book “The Glories of Mary,” wrote that in ancient times, there were cities of refuge where criminals who fled for protection would be exempt from their deserved punishments. In a similar way, Our Lady is the refuge of sinners, offering protection and intercession for all who seek her help, no matter how grave their sins. St. Thomas of Villanova said: “O Mary, we poor sinners know no other refuge than thee, for thou art our only hope, and on thee we rely for our salvation.”

Similarly, St. Antoninus related the story of a grave sinner who had a vision of himself before God at his particular judgment. The devil accused him, presenting a catalog of his sins, which outweighed all his good works on the scales of divine justice. However, Our Lady extended her hand, placing it on the balance, tipping it in favor of her devotee. Understanding that she would obtain his pardon if he changed his life, the sinner was entirely converted after this vision.

It is important to remember that devotion to Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners does not exempt us from the need to reform our lives. While she is our advocate, we must also do our part. How can we do this? The best way is to frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly. Every time we examine our conscience before confession, we should ask for Our Lady’s intercession. Apart from confession, devotions such as the daily rosary are also crucial.

[Everyone] can promote devotion to Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners, especially on her feast day. On July 5, this obligatory memorial should be celebrated in parishes throughout California. The Ordo states that the liturgical texts can be taken from Holy Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy in the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary…

 

May all Catholics in California rediscover the spiritual significance of Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners, the patroness of California.

Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners, pray for us!

Father Vincent Woo is priest-secretary to Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone and assistant professor at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University, and Nowicki is the Archivist for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

retrieved from https://sfarch.org/our-lady-refuge-of-sinners/

Sacred and Immaculate Hearts

 Sacred and Immaculate Hearts-Jesus and Mother Mary

Although not explicitly Franciscan in origin, the contemporary devotion to the Twin Hearts on the Friday and Saturday following the Solemn Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, is deeply Scriptural and resonates within Franciscan spirituality. In his encyclical Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis points out the theological contributions of Saint Bonaventure in paragraphs 106-108. He writes that Bonaventure “presents the heart of Christ as a source of the sacraments and of grace and urges that our contemplation of that heart become a relationship between friends, a personal encounter of love.”

In paragraph 110 when writing about feminine encounter with Christ, Pope Francis includes the Franciscan Saint Angela of Foligno (3^rd order). “A number of holy women, in recounting their experiences of encounter with Christ, have spoken of resting in the heart of the Lord as the source of life and interior peace.” In paragraph 177 he quotes Saint Bernard, “in exhorting us to union with the heart of Christ, draws upon the richness of this devotion to call for a conversion grounded in love.”

This year the optional Saturday memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) falls on June 13^th, which is the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua. It thus bumps St. Anthony into an optional status as well, as two extremely popular devotional saints vie for attention, so to speak. Just an example of how several devotional items or issues can “stack up” on any particular day. That is especially true of Saturdays, which are traditionally devoted to BVM. Or when the Sunday celebration “overtakes” the date of a saint. Whatever choices are made, our eyes ultimately (should) land on Jesus, the source of all holiness and grace. Or as I saw it put into a slogan: "Two Saints. One Mission. Lead Souls to Jesus."

May 25 & 26 and Marian May with a double apparition!

The emphasis is on Pentecost this weekend, which most years (though not always), falls within the month of May. The Marian aspect of this celebration is evident in the days surrounding the celebration. On the Saturday prior, Our Lady of the Cenacle is remembered. And on the Monday following, according to Pope Francis' direction, Mary is honored under the title of Mother of the Church, something very much promoted with the Second Vatican Council. The date of May 24th is traditionally celebrated as Mary, Help of Christians, an ancient title first described by John Chrysostom in AD 345. This devotion was particularly promoted by Don Bosco and the Salesians. 

And on May 26th is a dual veneration in Italy: Our Lady of Piné, Madonna of Montagnaga is a little-known but authenticated apparition of Mary that occurred between 1729 and 1730. It is related to the apparition of Our Lady of the Fountain in Caravaggio from May 26, 1432, referring to the village, not the artist, but this is the town where the artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio grew up.  A painting of the 1432 appearance is at the center of the story of Mary's reappearance to another young woman 297 years later in Montagnaga. This is yet another significant Marian date in May. Here is some clarity between these two occurrences:

The first apparition was reported by Giovanetta, daughter of Pietro Vaccli and wife of Francesco Varoli. She said that on 26 May 1432, Mary appeared in a field in Caravaggio, in Northern Italy, in the region of Milan. The Virgin Mary announced peace to Giovanetta in her family, among the neighboring warring states, and reconciliation between the Church in the East and West, through the Council of Florence (1436—1445). As proof of her Marian apparition, the Virgin left the imprint of her feet on the stone where she stood. A spring of water sprang forth from under the stone, purported to be miraculous. 

The Virgin, dressed in white with a rosary in her hand, appeared on May 14, 1729, and four other times to shepherdess Domenica Targa. The third occasion was on September 8, 1729. A new and larger painting of the apparition of the Madonna to the visionary Giovanetta Varoli was prepared by Elena Zambaiti and installed in the church of St. Anne in Montagnaga. As people gathered for the dedication of this new altar, the Blessed Virgin herself appeared to the seer, along with  Saints Joachim & Anne and St. Joseph. Mary specifically blessed the picture and assured that this would be the place where she would welcome the prayers of her devotees.

May 13 and the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM)

May 13

Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament

Today we have another celebration of the BVM that “flavors” the month of May with Marian devotion: the appearance of Mary at Fatima, Portugal. There, she identified herself as Our Lady of the Rosary, but another title has also come to be associated with this day. Saint Peter Julian Eymard coined the title “Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament” in 1868. He founded his Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament at Paris on May 13, 1856, thus the connection to the day. His prayer:

Virgin Immaculate, perfect lover of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, we ask you to obtain for us the graces we need to become true adorers of our Eucharistic God.  Grant us, we beg of you, to know Jesus better, to love God more, and to center our lives around the Eucharist; that is, to make our whole life a constant prayer of adoration, thanksgiving, reparation, and petition to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  Amen.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

A prayer I composed to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
to be said during Eucharistic Adoration:

Contemplating this Great Mystery of Love

we look with awe and reverence upon Jesus,

the Bread of Life and Child of the Virgin Mary.

To you, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, we give thanks

for the role you play and the work

that you continue to do in the mystery of salvation.

This presence of the One who is flesh of your flesh

is the gift of God made human through your cooperation.

How wonderful this miracle!

How merciful and gracious is our God!

Join with us in our prayer and praise, O Blessed Lady.

(by Deacon Jim Cummings)

May 8th in the midst of Marian devotion

 

The eighth (8^th) of May has deep Marian connections in three titles:

1). The Virgin of Lujan, who is the patroness of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Officially declared in 1930 by Pope Pius XI, she is a 17th-century terracotta statue representing the Immaculate Conception. This particular localized devotion took on more significance or prominence with the election of Cardinal Bergoglio from Argentina as Pope Francis!

2). “Mother of Fairest Love”

“Fairest Love” is a title derived from Sirach 24:24. It states, “I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.” Pope Saint John Paul II wrote of this title in his 1994 Letter to Families, paragraph 20. St. Josemaria Escriva had a devotion to Our Lady under this title.

The "Fairest Love" devotion aligns with the Franciscan focus on her spotless nature, often celebrating her as "all fair" and without blemish. St. Bonaventure, a revered Doctor of the Church, beautifully encapsulated this devotion in his Psalter of Mary, highlighting her as the fount of clemency and sweetness of piety, adorned with the beauty of chastity, justice, and truth. Franciscans traditionally honor Mary through the "Franciscan Crown," a 7-decade rosary meditating on the Seven Joys of Mary, recognizing her as the source of "fair love" and joy.

3).  “Mediatrix of Grace”

This title speaks of Mary’s powerful intercession and mediation of heavenly grace. There is a long Franciscan tradition acknowledging Mary’s role as such.

The decree Lumen Gentium of Vatican II would caution against the title of "Mediatrix" that: "This, however, is to be so understood that it neither takes away from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficaciousness of Christ the one Mediator." And as recently as November 2025, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church declared that the use of the titles Mediatrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Co-Redemptrix "have limits that do not favor a correct understanding of Mary’s unique place".

A long Franciscan tradition holds that Our Lady’s unique role in the redemption is worthy of this special feast. Mary herself was redeemed by Christ, her Son. Then through her powerful intercession, she obtains for us the graces that God wishes to bestow on the human race. In the 15th century, the Franciscan friar, St Bernardine of Siena wrote: “I do not hesitate to say that she (Mary) has received a certain jurisdiction over all graces… They are administered through her hands to whom she pleases, when she pleases, as she pleases, and as much as she pleases.” In the Constitution on the Church, Vatican II states: “In the work of the Saviour, she (Mary) cooperated in an altogether singular way, by her obedience, faith, hope and burning love, to restore supernatural life to souls.”

The connection to the Immaculate Conception, a concept that was championed by Franciscan theologians, is apparent through the combination today with Our Lady of Lujan, a statue of the Immaculate Conception. In most common depictions, rays of grace emanate from the hands of Mary, and you can see in one of the following illustrations how that grace is being passed on to Mary from Jesus.