Sts. Philip and James, May 3
Philip, from Bethsaida like Peter and Andrew, brought Nathanael to Jesus and later asked him to “show us the Father.” James, called the Less, became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Their relics rest together in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles in Rome.
On the General Roman Calendar, May 3 is a feast: Saints Philip and James, Apostles.
Name days on May 3
In countries that keep name days, May 3 is the day for people named Philip, Phillip, and Pippa. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Philip | May 3 |
| Phillip | May 3 |
| Pippa | May 3 |
May 3 on the calendar
May 3 is the 123rd day of the year (the 124th in a leap year), with 242 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | Thursday |
| 2030 | Friday |
Keeping May 3
May 3 falls in May, the month of Mary. As a feast, it is kept by the whole Church with its own readings and the Gloria at Mass. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Philip, Phillip, and Pippa, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around May 3
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| April 30 | St. Pius V |
| May 1 | St. Joseph the Worker |
| May 2 | St. Athanasius |
| May 4 | St. Florian |
| May 5 | St. Hilary of Arles |
| May 6 | St. François de Laval |
The day before, May 2, is the day of St. Athanasius. The day after, May 4, belongs to St. Florian. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.