James the Greater

One of the "Sons of Thunder," James was the first of the Twelve to seal his witness with his blood, becoming a martyr under Herod Agrippa. He was part of the "inner circle" who saw the Transfiguration on Tabor and the Agony in Gethsemane, learning that glory and suffering are two sides of the same divine coin. His legendary journey to Spain makes him the patron of all pilgrims on the "Camino," a symbol of the physical and spiritual journey we must all take toward God. He represents the truth that the Gospel demands our "all"—our fire, our ambition, and ultimately, our life. He is the pioneer of the apostolic sacrifice.