patron of our parish Church, James was the brother of John and son of Zebedee.  He was a fisherman from Capernaum, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Known as The Greater, he was put to death by Herod Agrippa circa 44, the first of the Apostles to die for Christ.  James is patron of pilgrims. Tradition holds that he brought the Gospel to Spain and his tomb is in Compostela, in northern Spain.  A place of pilgrimage for centuries, pilgrims walk the Camino de Santiago from various points in France, Portugal and Spain.  The cockleshell commemorates the pilgrim’s journey and is recognised as symbol of St James.

 Mass in Athboy Church on Friday July 25th @ 9.30am