This Epistle is called Catholic or Universal, as formerly were also the
two Epistles of St. Peter, the first of St. John and that of St. Jude,
because they were not written to any peculiar people or particular
person, but to the faithful in general. It was written by the apostle
St. James, called the Less, who was also called the brother of our
Lord, being his kinsman (for cousins german with the Hebrews were
called brothers). He was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. In this Epistle
are set forth many precepts appertaining to faith and morals;
particularly, that faith without good works will not save a man and
that true wisdom is given only from above. In the fifth chapter he
publishes the sacrament of anointing the sick. It was written a short
time before his martyrdom, about twenty-eight years after our Lord’s
Ascension.