Saint James of the Marches: Zeal for the Holy Name
A Catholic leader or priest can learn fervent lessons from St. James of the Marches (1391–1476), Franciscan missionary dubbed the “Apostle of the Holy Name.” A lawyer-turned-friar, he preached across Europe for 50 years, converting thousands (estimates: 250,000), combating heresies like the Fratelli, and promoting crusades against Turks—often miraculously surviving poisonings.
Leadership Lessons for Catholic Leaders
- Preach with zeal—his sermons sparked mass reforms and Holy Name devotion;
- Embrace austerity—bread-and-water fasts fueled unweary endurance;
- Serve the marginalized—converted prostitutes and heretics through compassionate truth;
- Seek counsel wisely—popes and princes valued his moral insight.
Canonized in 1726, James proves leadership ignites fiery evangelism and humble rigor, turning continents into confessionals.
