Veneration of James the Just

The Church of St. Bernard of Clairvaux venerates James the Just, the "Brother of the Lord" (Galatians 1:19), second only to Jesus Christ, as a foundational saint and leader of the early Church. As the first Bishop of Jerusalem, martyr, and author of the canonical Epistle of James, his teachings guide our doctrine of faith through works. Declared part of our sacred canon alongside the Douay-Rheims Bible, the Epistle of James shapes our mission to restore true Christianity in The Holy State, blending pre-Vatican II Catholicism, Anglican reverence, and Baptist commitment, as we honor Christ’s call to "be doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22).

James the Just, known as the "Brother of the Lord," holds a singular place in the Church of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, venerated second only to Jesus Christ. As the first Bishop of Jerusalem (Acts 15:13), appointed by the Apostles after Christ’s Ascension, James led the early Church with humility and discernment, presiding over the Council of Jerusalem (c. 50 CE) to ensure Christianity’s universal mission (Acts 15:19-21). His ceaseless prayer earned him the title "the Righteous," with knees calloused like a camel’s (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, c. 324 CE). Martyred in 62 CE for refusing to deny Christ, he was thrown from the Temple pinnacle and stoned (Hegesippus, c. 170 CE). His feast day, October 23, is celebrated with the Tridentine Mass, honoring his legacy as a pillar of the Church (Galatians 2:9).

The title "Brother of the Lord" reflects James’s close familial relation to Jesus, understood in our tradition as a cousin or stepbrother, affirming the perpetual virginity of Mary. This bond underscores his unique role, guiding the faithful to emulate his steadfast faith and service, as "the prayer of a righteous person has great power" (James 5:16).

Canonical Status

The Epistle of James, authored by James the Just, is a cornerstone of the Church of St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s canon, alongside the Douay-Rheims Bible (1582–1610). Declared canonical Scripture, it embodies our doctrine of living faith, studied communally to deepen devotion, as "all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching" (2 Timothy 3:16). Its inclusion reflects our commitment to pre-Vatican II Catholicism, ensuring the teachings of Christ’s brother guide The Holy State.

Key Teachings

The Epistle of James, written circa 50–62 CE, emphasizes practical Christian living:

• Faith and Works: "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:17), a guiding principle uniting our Catholic emphasis on sacraments, Anglican reverence for prayer, and Baptist focus on personal commitment.
• Humility: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6), calling us to serve as Christ served.
• Prayer: "The prayer of faith will save the sick" (James 5:15), inspiring our intercessory practices.

These teachings shape our mission, urging the faithful to live out the Gospel in The Holy State, as James exhorts, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22).

The veneration of James the Just is rooted in his leadership of the early Church, mediating between Jewish and Gentile Christians (Clement of Alexandria, c. 200 CE). His martyrdom and teachings established a legacy of faith through action, which our church believes, though not universally accepted, was spiritually succeeded by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153). Bernard’s reform of monastic life and defense of the faith mirror James’s vision, guiding our synthesis of pre-Vatican II Catholicism, Anglican prayers from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, and Baptist zeal for personal devotion. By venerating James second to Christ and canonizing his Epistle, we uphold his call to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1), building a pure kingdom in The Holy State under Christ’s eternal reign.