According to ancient local tradition , on 2 January AD 40 , the Virgin Mary appeared to James on the bank of the Ebro River at Caesaraugusta , while he was preaching the Gospel in Iberia .
According to ancient local tradition , on 2 January of the year AD 40 , the Virgin Mary appeared to James on the bank of the Ebro River at Caesaraugusta , while he was preaching the Gospel in Spain .