24/08/2026
Saint of the Day
St. Bartholomew
Apostle
Patron saint of tanners, leatherworkers, and bookbinders
Saint Bartholomew the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and a faithful witness of the Gospel. He is traditionally identified with Nathanael, who appears in the Gospel of John. He is remembered for his sincerity, courage, and complete dedication to Christ. His feast day is celebrated on August 24.
Bartholomew is mentioned among the Twelve Apostles in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In the Gospel of John, however, we meet a disciple named Nathanael, who is brought to Jesus by Philip. Because Bartholomew is often understood as a family name meaning “son of Tolmai,” Christian tradition has long identified Nathanael with Bartholomew.
When Philip told Nathanael that they had found Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanael initially responded with skepticism:
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip simply replied, “Come and see.”
When Nathanael met Jesus, the Lord revealed that He already knew him. Jesus described him as “a true child of Israel” in whom there was no duplicity. Nathanael was amazed that Jesus knew him so deeply and responded with a powerful profession of faith:
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
This encounter shows the sincerity of Nathanael's heart. He was willing to move beyond his doubts and encounter Jesus personally. His life reminds us that genuine faith does not mean never having questions. Rather, faith means having the courage to seek the truth and respond when we encounter Christ.
After the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, tradition holds that Bartholomew preached the Gospel in various regions of the ancient world. He is traditionally associated with missionary work in places such as India, Armenia, Mesopotamia, and other parts of the East.
According to ancient Christian tradition, Bartholomew eventually suffered martyrdom because of his faith. He is traditionally believed to have been flayed and then beheaded or crucified. Because of this tradition, Christian art often depicts him holding a knife, symbolizing his martyrdom.
Although historical details about his later life are limited, Bartholomew's importance as an Apostle is certain. He was one of those personally chosen by Jesus to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to the Resurrection.
Saint Bartholomew teaches us the importance of being sincere before God. Like Nathanael, we are called to come to Jesus honestly, without pretending, and to allow Him to transform our doubts into faith.
His life also reminds us that following Christ requires courage. The Gospel we receive is not meant to remain within us. Like the Apostles, we are called to share God's love through our words, choices, service, and example.
Prayer
O glorious Saint Bartholomew the Apostle,
Faithful disciple and courageous witness of Jesus Christ, you responded to His call and devoted your life to proclaiming the Gospel.
Pray for us, that we may have a sincere and faithful heart like yours. Help us to approach Jesus honestly, bringing Him our questions, doubts, hopes, and struggles.
Teach us to recognize Christ when He calls us. May we never allow fear, doubt, or the opinions of others to prevent us from following Him.
Saint Bartholomew, deepen our faith in Jesus, the Son of God and King of Israel. Help us to trust Him even when we cannot understand His plans.
Give us courage to share our faith with others. May our words and actions become a living testimony of God's love. Help us to be faithful witnesses in our families, workplaces, schools, and communities.
Pray for missionaries, priests, catechists, and all who proclaim the Gospel. Strengthen them when their ministry becomes difficult and give them joy in serving God's people.
Help us to remain sincere and humble. May there be no falsehood or hypocrisy in our hearts. Teach us to live according to what we believe and to let our actions reflect our love for Christ.
When we experience trials, give us perseverance. When we are afraid, give us courage. When our faith becomes weak, lead us back to Jesus.
Saint Bartholomew, help us answer Christ's call with generous hearts and remain faithful to Him throughout our lives.
May we one day join you and all the saints in proclaiming the eternal glory of Jesus Christ.
Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, faithful servant and martyr of Christ, pray for us.
Amen.
