St. Philip was born in Bethsaida, Galilee. He is listed as an apostle in the lists of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and may have been a follower of John the Baptist. He is only referenced in the New Testament in the book of John, aside from the lists. When Jesus Himself called Philip, he went in search of Nathanael and informed him of the "one about whom Moses wrote" (Jn 1:45).

Philip took a while to come to terms with who Jesus was, just like the other apostles. Jesus had once asked Philip where they should get bread for the people to eat when he observed the large crowd following him and wished to feed them. Jesus stated this to test Philip since, according to St. John's Gospel, he knew what he was going to do (Jn 6:6). The identical response is given by Philip, who claims that the crowd gathered would require more food than two hundred days' salary (Jn 6:7). John's narrative does not belittle Philip. It was only essential for these individuals, who would serve as the Church's cornerstones, to recognize the profound difference between humanity's complete powerlessness without God and humankind's capacity to use divine power as a result of God's gift.

Jesus is seen responding to Philip's question before the Passion when he asks him to show them the Father (Jn 14:8–11). Beyond being listed as one of the Apostles in the Upper Room waiting for the Holy Spirit, Philip is not further mentioned in the New Testament. Tradition has it that Philip preached throughout Greece before being crucified on an upside-down cross at Hierapolis during the reign of Domitian.

James the Lesser, also known as St. James, was the son of Alpheus and was given the nickname "the Lesser" only to set him apart from James the Greater, who was either older or taller. He was one of Jesus' twelve selected apostles. His name appears in Matthew, Mark, and Luke's lists of the disciples, and he is also named in Acts.

Mark claims that St. James was present at the Crucifixion alongside the woman Mary and Mary Magdalene. Only if one accepts the notion that he is to be connected with St. James, the Brother of the Lord, whom he is sometimes confused with, no more information about him that can be said with certainty. He is shown with a club or a book in liturgical art.

Saints Philip and James are the Patron Saints of Uruguay and their feast is celebrated on 3rd May.

Other Saints of the Day

1. Saint Alexander

2. Saint Gluvias

3. Saint Juvenal of Narni

4. Saint Philip of Zell

5. Blessed Marie Leonie Paradis