St. Bartholomew

(From the St. Andrew's Daily Missal)

St. Bartholomew is probably the disciple introduced to Our Lord by Philip under the name of Nathanael, whom He praised in the words: "This is a true Israelite in whom ther is no guile" (John 1:47). St. Luke mentions him among the Twelve whom Christ, after a night of prayer, chose to be witnesses of His life, His teachins and His miracles, and, after His Resurrection, preachers of the Gospel. It is difficult to say where was the field of his apostolate. There is a tradition that he was flayed alive, as Cibo's magnificent white marble statue in Milan Cathedral shows him.

Statue of St. Bartholomew flayed - Milan Cathedral

His relics were brought from Benevento to his church on an island in the Tiber at Rome. His name occurs among the Apostles in the Canon of the Mass.

Sancte Bartholomaee, ora pro nobis.

Happy Feast.