A Pillar of Hope

A long time ago, one of Jesus’ closest friends, Saint James the Greater or also known as Santiago de Compostela, went on a journey. He was the son of Zebedee and the brother of John. Jesus chose both brothers to be part of the twelve apostles. James traveled all the way to Spain to tell people about God’s love. He hoped many would listen and believe. He walked far, talked to many people, and tried his best.

Things did not go the way he expected. Most people were not interested, with some walking away when he spoke and others even saying unkind things. He started to feel very tired. He felt like giving up. He wondered if all his hard work mattered.

Something amazing happened during that sad time. While James was near a river in a city called Zaragoza, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him. She came standing on a tall pillar made of stone. This was a miracle. Mary was still alive in Ephesus, yet God allowed her to appear there to help James.

She told him not to give up. She reminded him that God was with him. She gave him hope to keep going, even if he could not see the results yet. That moment gave James the strength he needed.

The Blessed Virgin also asked Saint James to build a church on that very spot. She said it would be a holy place, and that it would last until the end of time. She promised to bless everyone who prayed there with faith. When the church was finished, she told James to return to Palestine. There, his mission would come to an end, and he would give his life for the faith.

After that, James continued his mission with a renewed strength and hope. He did not see a big change in his work right away. Still, he trusted that his work had meaning.

The story of Saint James is also closely connected to a place in Spain called Compostela. Long ago, in the year 813, a bright star is said to have appeared in the sky. The star shone over a field in Galicia and lit up the exact spot where the body of Saint James was found. Because of this, the name “Compostela” is believed to come from the Latin words, campus stellae, which mean “field of the star.” Today, Saint James the Greater is honored as the patron saint of Spain, and his relics are kept in that special place known as the “Field of the Star.”

Today, many people take part in a pilgrimage, called the Camino de Santiago. They walk to grow closer to God and to honor the memory of Saint James. This path leads to the place where his remains are believed to have been buried.

The pillar where Mary appeared to Saint James is still in Zaragoza. It is in a big church called the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. People visit it to pray and remember the moment when Saint James received hope to continue his mission.

This story teaches us that even when we feel tired, lost, or ready to give up, we are not alone. God can send light into our lives when we need it most. Those who work for God, like Saint James, should also remember that the fruits of their labor might not come during their lifetime. Even if we do not see the results right away, our efforts still matter. Saint James did not see the great number of people who would later believe, yet his work still bears fruit today.

Minsan, sapat lang ang ilaw para sa susunod na hakbang. (Hannah Sulit)