The Feast of St. Bartholomew

By Fr. Tirso Villaverde

Pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish

On August 24th, the Catholic Church throughout the world celebrates the feast of St. Bartholomew.  For that reason, August 24th is also the patronal feast day for the parish to which I am currently assigned.  As we honor the life of this great apostle, we realize, though, that not much is known about St. Bartholomew, either historically or scripturally.

We do know that he was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus because his name was listed among the chosen twelve in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  However, the gospel of St. John does not even mention the name “Bartholomew.”  Rather, John mentions the name “Nathanael.” But, since that is the only name that is different from the lists of the Apostles found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it is believed that Nathanael was most likely the actual name of St. Batholomew which simply means, “son of Tolomai.”  Bartholomew most likely was only a nickname that helped to distinguish him from others who shared the same name as he did.

But, other than what is mentioned in the gospels, there are no other details about Bartholomew that can be known with any certainty.  But, for the parishioners of St. Bartholomew, the image of our patron saint that stands along Addison near Lavergne helps to teach a great deal more about St. Bartholomew and what his life still has to say to all modern day followers of Jesus.

When looking at the image, the first thing people might notice is that St. Bartholomew is holding a book in his right hand.  But, this book may or may not be a Bible, though.  St. Bartholomew’s writings, if he had any, did not contribute to the list of letters and gospels that we have in the Scriptures.  However, a book can symbolize one of two things.

One, it can symbolize the Scriptures and the importance of having the Word of God as the essential foundation of one’s life.  Second, it can also symbolize one’s status as a learner or a student who constantly needs to pay attention to the lessons of one’s teacher.

Either way, St. Bartholomew reminds us that we, like him, are disciples of Jesus Christ.  As disciples, we are constantly being formed, shaped, and trained by God.  As disciples of Jesus, our lives must have as their very foundation the Word of God.  As disciples of Jesus, St. Bartholomew reminds us that our first duty is to sit at the feet of the master and learn from Christ the teacher.

In the same statue, the life of discipleship is also seen in the knife that St. Bartholomew holds in his left hand.  The knife is a symbol of his martyrdom.  A story from non-biblical sources tells of St. Bartholomew having gone to the regions of India and Armenia to preach the gospel.  It was while in Armenia that St. Bartholomew managed to convert the king’s brother to the Christian faith.  The king, however, became so enraged at St. Bartholomew that the king gave the order that the Apostle be skinned alive and beheaded.  St. Bartholomew carries in his left hand the knife that was used to remove his skin from his body.

Also, for anyone who has visited the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, in the famous painting of the Last Judgment, near the feet of Jesus is a picture of a man holding human skin.  This is also an image of St. Bartholomew holding his own flayed skin from his martyrdom.
Whether it is the knife St. Bartholomew holds in his hand or the skin draped over his arm, St. Bartholomew is a clear reminder of how difficult it is to be a disciple of Christ.  St. Bartholomew’s example reminds us that the life of a disciple can be painful at times and require us to give up our lives in more ways than one.  But, as disciples, the trials we endure are all a part of our training as those whose lives are founded on the Word of God.

The fact that St. Bartholomew is now among the many men and women of faith who stand around God’s throne in heaven as first hand witnesses of the great things that God can do gives us on earth the strength needed to continue on the path of Christ realizing that we, too, will see the great things of God.  Therefore, St. Bartholomew points us to the final reward that awaits us after a life of faithful discipleship.

When any Christian considers the life of St. Bartholomew, we are invited to remember our own calling to walk in the ways of Jesus.  Like St. Bartholomew, may we learn from the One True Master who is Jesus.  And, may we offer our lives in constant service to our Master.•