Today, August 24, is the feast day of Saint Bartholomew, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. Tradition says that Bartholomew was the same person as Nathaniel in the Gospels. Jesus said of him, "Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him” (John 1:47b). After witnessing Jesus' ascension, Bartholomew preached the gospel in India, Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, Lycaonia, Phrygria and Armenia. The manner of his death is not certain, but tradition holds that he was flayed alive and/or beheaded and crucified upside down by King Astyages for converting his brother, King Polymius of Armenia.
Saint Bartholomew is often depicted in art holding a tanner's knife, symbol of his martyrdom, and sometimes holding his own skin, as in the famous Last Judgment by Michaelangelo.
Saint Bartholomew is the patron saint of Armenia, cheese merchants, tanners, plasterers, and he is invoked to cure nervous tics.
O Glorious Saint Bartholomew, Jesus called you a person without guile and you saw in this word a sign that he was the Son of God and King of Israel. Obtain for us the grace to be ever guileless and innocent as doves. At the same time, help us to have your gift of faith to see the Divine hand in the events of daily life. May we discern the signs of the times that lead to Jesus on earth and will eventually unite us to him forever in heaven. Amen.
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