A Prayer to Saint Bartholomew, for the Church
O holy apostle, the Church prays for grace to love what thou didst believe and to preach what thou didst teach. Not that the bride of the Son of God could ever fail either in faith or in love; but she knows only too well that, though her Head is ever in the light, and her heart ever united to the Spouse in the holy Sprit who sanctifies her, nevertheless her several members, the particular churches of which she is composed, may Detach themselves from their center of life and wander away in darkness. O thou who didst choose our west as the place of thy rest; thou whose precious relics Rome glories in posses ding, bring back to Peter the nations thou didst evangelize; fulfill the now reviving hopes of universal union; second the efforts made by the vicar of the Man-God to gather again under the shepherd’s crook those scattered flocks whose pastures have become parched by schism. May thine own Armenia be the first to complete a return which she began long ago; may she trust the mother Church and no more follow the sowers of discord. All being reunited, may we together enjoy the treasures of our concordant traditions, and go to God, even at the cost of being despoiled of all things, by course so grand and yet so simple taught us by thy example and by thy sublime theology.
A Prayer to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, for Grace
O Glorious Saint Bartholomew, Jesus called you a person without guile and you saw in this word a sign that he was the Son of God and King of Israel. Obtain for us the grace to be ever guileless and innocent as doves. At the same time, help us to have your gift of faith to see the Divine hand in the events of daily life. May we discern the signs of the times that lead to Jesus on earth and will eventually unite us to him forever in heaven. Amen.
A Prayer to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, for Courage
O Jesus, Saint Bartholomew’s greatest desire was to know the truth. When first informed about You, his initial reaction was, “How can anything good come from Nazareth?” But as soon as he met You, he wanted to become one of Your disciples. You said of him, “Here is a man in whom there is no deception.” I ask him to pray against the deceptions that are influencing me and the people I know. Help us to experience Your affirmation when we are honest, give us courage to resist lying as a means of self-protection, and inspire our minds to recognize the truth when we hear it. Saint Bartholomew, pray for us. Amen.
Novena to St. Bartholomew – Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Eternal God and loving father, you have given us the glorious Apostle Bartholomew as our beloved Patron Saint and powerful advocate in heaven. We offer you our prayers, animated by a spirit of confidence that through the efficacious intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we shall merit your unfailing help and protection and shall ever remain loyal and devoted to Divine will all the days of our life. Teach us to cherish, proclaim, and practice the Gospel message of Christ, which Saint Bartholomew so eloquently preached and finally sealed with his heroic martyrdom. As we prepare devoutly for his solemn feast by this Novena of prayers, we trustingly raise our minds and hearts to you. Refuse not, o Lord God, our humble petition but unite it with that of Apostle Bartholomew and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, so that we may obtain the grace of true repentance for our sins, of divine assistance in our spiritual and temporal wants, and of constant fidelity to all our Christian duties. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
<<mention your special request>>
St. Bartholomew, pray for us!
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Novena to St. Bartholomew – Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Eternal God and loving father, you have given us the glorious Apostle Bartholomew as our beloved Patron Saint and powerful advocate in heaven. We offer you our prayers, animated by a spirit of confidence that through the efficacious intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we shall merit your unfailing help and protection and shall ever remain loyal and devoted to Divine will all the days of our life. Teach us to cherish, proclaim, and practice the Gospel message of Christ, which Saint Bartholomew so eloquently preached and finally sealed with his heroic martyrdom. As we prepare devoutly for his solemn feast by this Novena of prayers, we trustingly raise our minds and hearts to you. Refuse not, o Lord God, our humble petition but unite it with that of Apostle Bartholomew and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, so that we may obtain the grace of true repentance for our sins, of divine assistance in our spiritual and temporal wants, and of constant fidelity to all our Christian duties. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
<<mention your special request>>
St. Bartholomew, pray for us!
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Novena to St. Bartholomew – Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Eternal God and loving father, you have given us the glorious Apostle Bartholomew as our beloved Patron Saint and powerful advocate in heaven. We offer you our prayers, animated by a spirit of confidence that through the efficacious intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we shall merit your unfailing help and protection and shall ever remain loyal and devoted to Divine will all the days of our life. Teach us to cherish, proclaim, and practice the Gospel message of Christ, which Saint Bartholomew so eloquently preached and finally sealed with his heroic martyrdom. As we prepare devoutly for his solemn feast by this Novena of prayers, we trustingly raise our minds and hearts to you. Refuse not, o Lord God, our humble petition but unite it with that of Apostle Bartholomew and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, so that we may obtain the grace of true repentance for our sins, of divine assistance in our spiritual and temporal wants, and of constant fidelity to all our Christian duties. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
<<mention your special request>>
St. Bartholomew, pray for us!
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Novena to St. Bartholomew – Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Eternal God and loving father, you have given us the glorious Apostle Bartholomew as our beloved Patron Saint and powerful advocate in heaven. We offer you our prayers, animated by a spirit of confidence that through the efficacious intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we shall merit your unfailing help and protection and shall ever remain loyal and devoted to Divine will all the days of our life. Teach us to cherish, proclaim, and practice the Gospel message of Christ, which Saint Bartholomew so eloquently preached and finally sealed with his heroic martyrdom. As we prepare devoutly for his solemn feast by this Novena of prayers, we trustingly raise our minds and hearts to you. Refuse not, o Lord God, our humble petition but unite it with that of Apostle Bartholomew and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, so that we may obtain the grace of true repentance for our sins, of divine assistance in our spiritual and temporal wants, and of constant fidelity to all our Christian duties. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
<<mention your special request>>
St. Bartholomew, pray for us!
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Novena to St. Bartholomew – Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Eternal God and loving father, you have given us the glorious Apostle Bartholomew as our beloved Patron Saint and powerful advocate in heaven. We offer you our prayers, animated by a spirit of confidence that through the efficacious intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we shall merit your unfailing help and protection and shall ever remain loyal and devoted to Divine will all the days of our life. Teach us to cherish, proclaim, and practice the Gospel message of Christ, which Saint Bartholomew so eloquently preached and finally sealed with his heroic martyrdom. As we prepare devoutly for his solemn feast by this Novena of prayers, we trustingly raise our minds and hearts to you. Refuse not, o Lord God, our humble petition but unite it with that of Apostle Bartholomew and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, so that we may obtain the grace of true repentance for our sins, of divine assistance in our spiritual and temporal wants, and of constant fidelity to all our Christian duties. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
<<mention your special request>>
St. Bartholomew, pray for us!
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Novena to St. Bartholomew – Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Eternal God and loving father, you have given us the glorious Apostle Bartholomew as our beloved Patron Saint and powerful advocate in heaven. We offer you our prayers, animated by a spirit of confidence that through the efficacious intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we shall merit your unfailing help and protection and shall ever remain loyal and devoted to Divine will all the days of our life. Teach us to cherish, proclaim, and practice the Gospel message of Christ, which Saint Bartholomew so eloquently preached and finally sealed with his heroic martyrdom. As we prepare devoutly for his solemn feast by this Novena of prayers, we trustingly raise our minds and hearts to you. Refuse not, o Lord God, our humble petition but unite it with that of Apostle Bartholomew and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, so that we may obtain the grace of true repentance for our sins, of divine assistance in our spiritual and temporal wants, and of constant fidelity to all our Christian duties. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
<<mention your special request>>
St. Bartholomew, pray for us!
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Novena to St. Bartholomew – Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Eternal God and loving father, you have given us the glorious Apostle Bartholomew as our beloved Patron Saint and powerful advocate in heaven. We offer you our prayers, animated by a spirit of confidence that through the efficacious intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we shall merit your unfailing help and protection and shall ever remain loyal and devoted to Divine will all the days of our life. Teach us to cherish, proclaim, and practice the Gospel message of Christ, which Saint Bartholomew so eloquently preached and finally sealed with his heroic martyrdom. As we prepare devoutly for his solemn feast by this Novena of prayers, we trustingly raise our minds and hearts to you. Refuse not, o Lord God, our humble petition but unite it with that of Apostle Bartholomew and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, so that we may obtain the grace of true repentance for our sins, of divine assistance in our spiritual and temporal wants, and of constant fidelity to all our Christian duties. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
<<mention your special request>>
St. Bartholomew, pray for us!
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Novena to St. Bartholomew – Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Eternal God and loving father, you have given us the glorious Apostle Bartholomew as our beloved Patron Saint and powerful advocate in heaven. We offer you our prayers, animated by a spirit of confidence that through the efficacious intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we shall merit your unfailing help and protection and shall ever remain loyal and devoted to Divine will all the days of our life. Teach us to cherish, proclaim, and practice the Gospel message of Christ, which Saint Bartholomew so eloquently preached and finally sealed with his heroic martyrdom. As we prepare devoutly for his solemn feast by this Novena of prayers, we trustingly raise our minds and hearts to you. Refuse not, o Lord God, our humble petition but unite it with that of Apostle Bartholomew and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, so that we may obtain the grace of true repentance for our sins, of divine assistance in our spiritual and temporal wants, and of constant fidelity to all our Christian duties. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
<<mention your special request>>
St. Bartholomew, pray for us!
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Novena to St. Bartholomew – Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Eternal God and loving father, you have given us the glorious Apostle Bartholomew as our beloved Patron Saint and powerful advocate in heaven. We offer you our prayers, animated by a spirit of confidence that through the efficacious intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we shall merit your unfailing help and protection and shall ever remain loyal and devoted to Divine will all the days of our life. Teach us to cherish, proclaim, and practice the Gospel message of Christ, which Saint Bartholomew so eloquently preached and finally sealed with his heroic martyrdom. As we prepare devoutly for his solemn feast by this Novena of prayers, we trustingly raise our minds and hearts to you. Refuse not, o Lord God, our humble petition but unite it with that of Apostle Bartholomew and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, so that we may obtain the grace of true repentance for our sins, of divine assistance in our spiritual and temporal wants, and of constant fidelity to all our Christian duties. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
<<mention your special request>>
St. Bartholomew, pray for us!
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Saint Bartholomew's Story
In the New Testament, Bartholomew is mentioned only in the lists of the apostles. Some scholars identify him with Nathanael, a man of Cana in Galilee who was summoned to Jesus by Philip. Jesus paid him a great compliment: “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him” (John 1:47b). When Nathanael asked how Jesus knew him, Jesus said, “I saw you under the fig tree” (John 1:48b). Whatever amazing revelation this involved, it brought Nathanael to exclaim, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:49b). But Jesus countered with, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this” (John 1:50b).
Nathanael did see greater things. He was one of those to whom Jesus appeared on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection (see John 21:1-14). They had been fishing all night without success. In the morning, they saw someone standing on the shore though no one knew it was Jesus. He told them to cast their net again, and they made so great a catch that they could not haul the net in. Then John cried out to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When they brought the boat to shore, they found a fire burning, with some fish laid on it and some bread. Jesus asked them to bring some of the fish they had caught, and invited them to come and eat their meal. John relates that although they knew it was Jesus, none of the apostles presumed to inquire who he was. This, John notes, was the third time Jesus appeared to the apostles.
Reflection
Bartholomew or Nathanael? We are confronted again with the fact that we know almost nothing about most of the apostles. Yet the unknown ones were also foundation stones, the 12 pillars of the new Israel whose 12 tribes now encompass the whole earth. Their personalities were secondary—without thereby being demeaned—to their great office of bearing tradition from their firsthand experience, speaking in the name of Jesus, putting the Word Made Flesh into human words for the enlightenment of the world. Their holiness was not an introverted contemplation of their status before God. It was a gift that they had to share with others. The Good News was that all are called to the holiness of being Christ’s members, by the gracious gift of God.The simple fact is that humanity is totally meaningless unless God is its total concern. Then humanity, made holy with God’s own holiness, becomes the most precious creation of God.
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