St. Bartholomew, Apostle - Mass Propers

                St. Bartholomew

The Apostle Bartholomew was a Galilean. In the division of the world among the Apostles it fell to his lot to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in hither India. He went thither and preached to those nations the coming of the Lord Jesus, according to the Gospel of St. Matthew. When he had turned many in that province to Jesus Christ, and had endured many toils and woes, he came into the Greater Armenia.

St. Bartholomew, sometimes referred as Nathanael, was said to have been flayed alive before being beheaded. By association with his own fate, his most usual emblem is the flaying-knife. He is regarded as the patron saint of tanners and all who work at skins.

Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He has been identified with Nathanael (alternatively spelled Nathaniel),who appears in the Gospel according to John as being introduced to Christ by Philip (who would also become an apostle),[Jn 1:43-51] although most modern commentators reject the identification of Nathanael with Bartholomew

Art and literature

The account of Bartholomew being skinned alive is the most represented in works of art, and consequently Bartholomew is often shown with a large knife, holding his own skin (as in Michelangelo's Last Judgment), or both. In Avezzano, in Abruzzo the image of the Saint who is holding his own skin has become the symbol of the city. Archaeological research has shown that the cult of Saint Bartholomew began in Avezzano, because the previous presence of a temple dedicated to Heracles, which is always represented in the act of holding the skin of the Nemean Lion. There is, therefore, a solid relationship between the two iconographies and the re-semantization of the symbols Heracles/Physical Strength/Hero and Bartholomew/Power of Faith/Hero-Martyr. Bartholomew is also the patron saint of tanners.

 

St Bartholomew from The Last Judgment, Sistine Chapel, Vatican - Michaelangelo

Miracles

Of the many miracles performed by Bartholomew before and after his death, two very popular ones are known by the townsfolk of the small island of Lipari.

The people of Lipari celebrated his feast day annually. The tradition of the people was to take the solid silver and gold statue from inside the Cathedral of St Bartholomew and carry it through the town. On one occasion, when taking the statue down the hill towards the town, it suddenly became very heavy and had to be set down. When the men carrying the statue regained their strength, they lifted it a second time. After another few seconds, it got even heavier. They set it down and attempted once more to pick it up. They managed to lift it but had to put it down one last time. Within seconds, walls further downhill collapsed. If the statue had been able to be lifted, all the towns people would have been killed.

During World War II, the Fascist regime (German/Italian) looked for ways to finance their activities. The order was given to take the silver statue of St Bartholomew and melt it down. The statue was weighed, and it was found to be only a few grams. It was returned to its place in the Cathedral of Lipari. In reality, the statue is made from many kilograms of silver and it is considered a miracle that it was not melted down.

St Bartholomew is credited with many other miracles having to do with the weight of objects.

Tradition

Eusebius of Caesarea's Ecclesiastical History (5:10) states that after the Ascension, Bartholomew went on a missionary tour to India, where he left behind a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. Other traditions record him as serving as a missionary in Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia, and Lycaonia. Popular traditions and legends say that Bartholomew preached the Gospel in India, then went to Greater Armenia.

Roman Breviary - Matins

We ourselves are fools because of Christ; but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak and you are strong, you are honored, but we are despised. Until that time we both hunger and thirst, we are naked, torn with fists, and we have no fixed abode. We toil, working with our hands; they cursed us, and we bless; we are persecuted, we endure and; blasphemy on us, and we pray; we have become so far as the garbage of the world, and rejected all the filth. It is not to give you the confusion as I write this, but to admonish you as my beloved son. For, had you ten thousand teachers in Christ, you do not have many fathers; it was I who, through the gospel, you have begotten in Christ.

When you are brought before kings and governors, do not think how or what you should say:  

You will be given indeed, at that very hour what you will say.

For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

    Monday - Thirteenth Week after Pentecost

          St Bartholomew, Apostle

Double of the Second Class – Red Vestments

         Missa 'Mihi Autem'

INTROIT: Psalm 138: 17

To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable: their principality is exceedingly strengthened.

Psalm 138: 1-2 Lord, Thou hast proved me, and known me; Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

COLLECT

Almighty, eternal God, Who hast bestowed on us the august and holy joy of this day by the festival of Thy blessed apostle Bartholomew, grant unto Thy Church, we beseech Thee, both to love what he believed and to preach what he taught. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God.

EPISTLE - I Corinthians 12: 27-31

Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. Brethren, you are the body of Christ, and members of member. And God indeed hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors, after that miracles, then the graces of healings, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But be ye zealous for the better gifts.

GRADUAL - Psalm 44: 17,18

Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall be mindful of Thy name, O Lord. V. Instead of Thy fathers sons are born to Thee: therefore shall people praise Thee.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Thee, the glorious choir of the apostles doth praise, O Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL - Luke 6: 12-19

At that time, Jesus went out into a mountain to pray, and He passed the whole night in the prayer of God: and when day was come, He called unto Him His disciples; and He chose twelve of them (whom also He named apostles), Simon whom He surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon who is called Zelotes, and Jude the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor. And coming down with them, He stood in a plain place, and the company of His disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the seacoast, both of Tyre and Sidon, who were come to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch Him, for virtue went out from Him, and healed all.

OFFERTORY - Psalm 138: 17

To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly, honorable: their principality is exceedingly strengthened.

SECRET

Commemorating the feast of Thy blessed apostle Bartholomew, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may obtain Thy blessings by his aid for whom we immolate sacrifices of praise to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God.

PREFACE OF THE APOSTLES

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou woulds not desert Thy flock. O everlasting Shepherd; but through Thy blessed Apostles, wouldst keep it under Thy constant protection; that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom as vicars of Thy work, Thou didst set over it to be its pastors. And therefore with Angels and Archangesl, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of The glory, evermore saying:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus, Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus, qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.

COMMUNION - Matthew 19: 28

You who have followed Me shall sit on seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

POSTCOMMUNION

May the pledge of everlasting redemption, which we have received, O Lord, be unto us, we beseech Thee, by the intercession of blessed Bartholomew Thine apostle, an aid alike for the present and the future life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever.