SAINT BARNABAS Apostle. Icon from original

 

 

Thursday, 11 June 2015 St. Barnabas, Apostle SAINT BARNABAS Apostle         We read that in the first days of the Church, "the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul; neither did any one say that aught of the things which he possessed was his own." Of this fervent company, one only is singled out by name, Joseph, a rich Levite, from Cyprus. "He having land sold it, and brought the price and laid it at the feet of the apostles." They now gave him a new name, Barnabas, the son of consolation.         He was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, and was soon chosen for an important mission to the rapidly-growing Church of Antioch. Here he perceived the great work which was to be done among the Greeks, so he hastened to fetch St. Paul from his retirement at Tarsus.         It was at Antioch that the two Saints were called to the apostolate of the Gentiles, and hence they set out together to Cyprus and the cities of Asia Minor. Their preaching struck men with amazement, and some cried out, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men," calling Paul Mercury, and Barnabas Jupiter.         The Saints travelled together to the Council of Jerusalem, but shortly after this they parted. When Agabus prophesied a great famine, Barnabas, no longer rich, was chosen by the faithful at Antioch as most fit to bear, with St. Paul, their generous offerings to the Church of Jerusalem. The gentle Barnabas, keeping with him John, surnamed Mark, whom St. Paul distrusted, betook himself to Cyprus, where the sacred history leaves him; and here, at a later period, he won his martyr's crown.    ©Evangelizo.org 2001-2015   Below see Facebook  (click)

St Barnabas Society 18 hrs ·  A Very Happy Feast of St Barnabas to you all. Holy Mass will be offered for the intentions of all who work with and for the Society this evening at Wolvercote. Thank you for following the example of the son of encouragement. Your interest and support and prayers make all the difference. Like · Comment · Share

  The St Barnabas Society, a registered charity, operates in Great Britain and Ireland and exists to provide pastoral and financial help on behalf of the whole Catholic community to former clergy ministers and religious from other churches, who live in Great Britain and Ireland, and who have been led by faith and conscience to come into full communion with the Catholic Church.

The icon of St Barnabas is reproduced from an original by Sr Petra Clare, The Benedictine Skete, Marydale, Cannich, Beauly, Inverness IV4 7LT.