Little is known about the youth of St. James. His parents were Zebedee, a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, and Salome. The family likely lived in one of the villages on the shore of the lake, and James was probably older than his brother John, because in Biblical accounts his name is always mentioned first.
The family must have been moderately well off, since Zebedee had hired men working for him. (Mark 1:20) As sons of the household, James and John would have had an elementary Jewish education.
The appellation he was given, "James the Greater", could refer to the fact that he was taller than "James the Less", another Apostle, or to the fact that he was especially close to Jesus, having been chosen, along with Peter and John, to witness special miracles.
The Gospels record that James and his brother John were called by Jesus while mending fishing nets with their father on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Such was the mystical magnetism of Jesus that they immediately rose, left everything and became followers of the Lord. (Mat 3:18)
As James followed Jesus around the towns and villages of Israel for three years, he listened to His words, he witnessed many miracles, and he was named as one of Jesus' closest companions, the Apostles. During that time, James would have developed strong virtues of faith and commitment.
Jesus gave James and John the nickname "Boanerges" ("Sons of Thunder") (Mark 3:18) possibly because of their loud and passionate preaching.
Even among the Apostles, James held a special place. He, John and Peter were the only ones chosen to go to the bedside of Jairus' daughter, and watch as Jesus raised her from the dead. (Mark 5: 35-42)
The same three were chosen to accompany Jesus up a high mountain to witness His transfiguration (Mat 17:1-8). Still, James was slow to grasp the spiritual nature of Jesus' kingdom.
As the group traveled to Jerusalem for the last time, he joined his brother John and their mother Salome as she asked Jesus if her sons could sit at His right and left hand when He entered His kingdom. Jesus seized the occasion to teach them that whoever wanted to be great must become the servant and slave of the others. (Mat 20: 20-28)
On the night before His death, Jesus chose the three again, Peter, James and John, to accompany Him into the Garden of Gethsemani, where He underwent agony as He pondered the events of Good Friday. (Mat 26:36-38)
Sadly, James was too cowardly to be present at the crucifixion. He needed the wisdom and courage imparted by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to fullfil the "Great Commission", given just before Jesus ascended into Heaven.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Mat 28:19-20)
There is a tradition that St. James went to preach the Gospel in Spain before returning to Jerusalem and martyrdom.
Acts 12:2 tells us that James was one of the first martyrs of the Church. King Herod Agrippa I ordered him beheaded in 44 A.D. in an early persecution of the Church.
James is the patron saint of hatmakers, rheumatoid sufferers, and laborers. His feast day is July 25th.
References:
1. The Holy Bible NRSV
2. New Advent
St. James the Greater
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08279b.htm
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