Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle
St. Bartholomew, Apostle. Also known as Nathanael, he merited this description from the lips of the Divine Master, as Philip led him to meet the Messiah: “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” (Jn 1:47). One of the first disciples of Jesus, and excercised his ministry in Asia Minor and Mesopotamia. According to tradition, he was flayed at his martyrdom.
Other featured Saints
Blessed Maximian Binkiewicz, priest and martyr (†1942). Polish priest who died in the concentration camp of Dachau, after suffering prolonged torture.
St. Maria Micaela of the Blessed Sacrament, virgin (†1865). She founded the Congregation of Adorers, Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament and of Charity.
Blessed Mary of the Incarnation Rosal, virgin (†1886). Founded the Institute of the Sisters of Bethlehem of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and several schools in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia and Ecuador, where she died.
St. George Limniotes, monk and martyr (†c. 730). Monk who died in Bithynia, present-day Turkey, for having reproved the impiety of Emperor Leo III, who ordered the destruction of images and the burning of Saints’ relics.
St. Joan Antida Thouret, virgin (†1826). Vincentian religious who founded the Society of the Sisters of Charity in Besançon, France.
St. Emily de Vialar, virgin (†1856). Founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition in Gaillac, France, to care for the sick and poor.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Rv 21:9b-14
The angel spoke to me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18 (R.12)
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might. R.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations. R.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth. R.
Gospel – Jn 1:45-51
Philip found Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
But Nathanael said to him,
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
