Saint June 11 : Saint Barnabas : Apostle : Patron of #Hailstorms - #Peacemaker
Feast: June 11
Prayer In Honor Of St. Barnabas
O God, who decreed that Saint Barnabas, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
should be set apart to convert the nations, grant that the Gospel of Christ, which he strenuously preached, may be faithfully proclaimed by word and by deed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
61 AD, Salamis, Cyprus
Major Shrine:
Monastery of St Barnabas in Famagusta, Cyprus
Patron of:
Cyprus, Antioch, against hailstorms, invoked as peacemaker
Barnabas (originally Joseph), styled an Apostle in Holy Scripture, and, like St. Paul, ranked by the Church with the Twelve, though not one of them; b. of Jewish parents in the Island of Cyprus about the beginning of the Christian Era. A Levite, he naturally spent much time in Jerusalem, probably even before the Crucifixion of Our Lord, and appears also to have settled there (where his relatives, the family of Mark the Evangelist, likewise had their homes — Acts 12:12) and to have owned land in its vicinity (4:36-37). A rather late tradition recorded by Clement of Alexandria (Strom., II, 20, P.G., VIII, col. 1060) and Eusebius (H. E., II, i, P. G., XX, col. 117) says that he was one of the seventy Disciples; but Acts (4:36-37) favours the opinion that he was converted to Christianity shortly after Pentecost (about A.D. 29 or 30) and immediately sold his property and devoted the proceeds to the Church. The Apostles, probably because of his success as a preacher, for he is later placed first among the prophets and doctors of Antioch (xiii, 1), surnamed him Barnabas, a name then interpreted as meaning "son of exhortation" or "consolation". (The real etymology, however, is disputed. See Encyl. Bibli., I, col. 484.) Though nothing is recorded of Barnabas for some years, he evidently acquired during this period a high position in the Church.
When Saul the persecutor, later Paul the Apostle, made his first visit (dated variously from A.D. 33 to 38) to Jerusalem after his conversion, the Church there, remembering his former fierce spirit, was slow to believe in the reality of his conversion. Barnabas stood sponsor for him and had him received by the Apostles, as the Acts relate (9:27), though he saw only Peter and James, the brother of the Lord, according to Paul himself (Galatians 1:18-19). Saul went to his house at Tarsus to live in obscurity for some years, while Barnabas appears to have remained at Jerusalem. The event that brought them together again and opened to both the door to their lifework was an indirect result of Saul's own persecution. In the dispersion that followed Stephen's death, some Disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene, obscure men, inaugurated the real mission of the Christian Church by preaching to the Gentiles. They met with great success among the Greeks at Antioch in Syria, reports of which coming o the ears of the Apostles, Barnabas was sent thither by them to investigate the work of his countrymen. He saw in the conversions effected the fruit of God's grace and, though a Jew, heartily welcomed these first Gentile converts. His mind was opened at once to the possibility of this immense field. It is a proof how deeply impressed Barnabas had been by Paul that he thought of him immediately for this work, set out without delay for distant Tarsus, and persuaded Paul to go to Antioch and begin the work of preaching. This incident, shedding light on the character of each, shows it was no mere accident that led them to the Gentile field. Together they laboured at Antioch for a whole year and "taught a great multitude". Then, on the coming of famine, by which Jerusalem was much afflicted, the offerings of the Disciples at Antioch were carried (about A.D. 45) to the mother-church by Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11). Their mission ended, they returned to Antioch, bringing with them the cousin, or nephew of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), John Mark, the future Evangelist (Acts 12:25).
The time was now ripe, it was believed, for more systematic labours, and the Church of Antioch felt inspired by the Holy Ghost to send out missionaries to the Gentile world and to designate for the work Barnabas and Paul. They accordingly departed, after the imposition of hands, with John Mark as helper. Cyprus, the native land of Barnabas, was first evangelized, and then they crossed over to Asia Minor. Here, at Perge in Pamphylia, the first stopping place, John Mark left them, for what reason his friend St. Luke does not state, though Paul looked on the act as desertion. The two Apostles, however, pushing into the interior of a rather wild country, preached at Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, at Derbe, and other cities. At every step they met with opposition and even violent persecution from the Jews, who also incited the Gentiles against them. The most striking incident of the journey was at Lystra, where the superstitious populace took Paul, who had just cured a lame man, for Hermes (Mercury) "because he was the chief speaker", and Barnabas for Jupiter, and were about to sacrifice a bull to them when prevented by the Apostles. Mob-like, they were soon persuaded by the Jews to turn and attack the Apostles and wounded St. Paul almost fatally. Despite opposition and persecution, Paul and Barnabas made many converts on this journey and returned by the same route to Perge, organizing churches, ordaining presbyters and placing them over the faithful, so that they felt, on again reaching Antioch in Syria, that God had "opened a door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:13-14:27).
Barnabas and Paul had been "for no small time" at Antioch, when they were threatened with the undoing of their work and the stopping of its further progress. Preachers came from Jerusalem with the gospel that circumcision was necessary for salvation, even for the Gentiles. The Apostles of the Gentiles, perceiving at once that this doctrine would be fatal to their work, went up to Jerusalem to combat it; the older Apostles received them kindly and at what is called the Council of Jerusalem (dated variously from A.D. 47 to 51) granted a decision in their favour as well as a hearty commendation of their work (Acts 14:27-15:30). On their return to Antioch, they resumed their preaching for a short time. St. Peter came down and associated freely there with the Gentiles, eating with them. This displeased some disciples of James; in their opinion, Peter's act was unlawful, as against the Mosaic law. Upon their remonstrances, Peter yielded apparently through fear of displeasing them, and refused to eat any longer with the Gentiles. Barnabas followed his example. Paul considered that they "walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel" and upbraided them before the whole church (Galatians 2:11-15). Paul seems to have carried his point. Shortly afterwards, he and Barnabas decided to revisit their missions. Barnabas wished to take John Mark along once more, but on account of the previous defection Paul objected. A sharp contention ensuing, the Apostles agreed to separate. Paul was probably somewhat influenced by the attitude recently taken by Barnabas, which might prove a prejudice to their work. Barnabas sailed with John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas an revisited the churches of Asia Minor. It is believed by some that the church of Antioch, by its God-speed to Paul, showed its approval of his attitude; this inference, however, is not certain (Acts 15:35-41).
Little is known of the subsequent career of Barnabas. He was still living and labouring as an Apostle in 56 or 57, when Paul wrote I Cor. (ix, 5, 6). from which we learn that he, too, like Paul, earned his own living, though on an equality with other Apostles. The reference indicates also that the friendship between the two was unimpaired. When Paul was a prisoner in Rome (61-63), John Mark was attached to him as a disciple, which is regarded as an indication that Barnabas was no longer living (Colossians 4:10). This seems probable.
Various traditions represent him as the first Bishop of Milan, as preaching at Alexandria and at Rome, whose fourth (?) bishop, St. Clement, he is said to have converted, and as having suffered martyrdom in Cyprus. The traditions are all late and untrustworthy.
With the exception of St. Paul and certain of the Twelve, Barnabas appears to have been the most esteemed man of the first Christian generation. St. Luke, breaking his habit of reserve, speaks of him with affection, "for he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith". His title to glory comes not only from his kindliness of heart, his personal sanctity, and his missionary labours, but also from his readiness to lay aside his Jewish prejudices, in this anticipating certain of the Twelve; from his large-hearted welcome of the Gentiles, and from his early perception of Paul's worth, to which the Christian Church is indebted, in large part at least, for its great Apostle. His tenderness towards John Mark seems to have had its reward in the valuable services later rendered by him to the Church.
The feast of St. Barnabas is celebrated on 11 June. He is credited by Tertullian (probably falsely) with the authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the so-called Epistle of Barnabas is ascribed to him by many Fathers.
(Taken from Catholic Encyclopedia)
July a Month Devoted to the Precious Blood of Jesu...
Wow Pope Francis Surprises Poor and Homeless by Jo...
Pope Francis "It is a matter of relying above all ...
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Saturday June 30...
Saint June 30 : Protomartyrs of Rome - #Rome
A Traditional Visit of the New Cardinals to Pope E...
Free Movie : The Apostle Peter: Redemption
Pope Francis "It is the first time that Jesus pron...
Pope Francis "Jesus said in a very personal way: "...
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Fri. June 29, 20...
#Novena to Saint Peter and Saint Paul - Apostles -...
Saint June 29 : St. Peter : Apostle and 1st Pope :...
Saint June 29 : St. Paul : Apostle : Patron of #Jo...
Pope Francis at Mass with New Cardinals "Jesus tea...
14 New Cardinals Created by Pope Francis - Full Li...
Pope Francis "It is my prayerful hope that there w...
Korean Church Promotes Prayer Campaign for Peace "...
Pope Francis "The language of sport is universal.....
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Thursday June 28...
Saint June 28 : St. Irenaeus of Lyons : #Bishop an...
Pope Francis "The commandments free you from your ...
#Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help - SHARE #Mir...
Pope Francis to Special Olympics " The Lord reserv...
Is Smoking Marijuana a Sin? Yes! Catholic Bishops ...
New Changes within the College of Cardinals by Pon...
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Wednesday June 2...
Saint June 27: Our Lady of Perpetual Help - #OurLa...
Saint June 27 : St. Cyril of Alexandria : #Doctor ...
Free Movie - There Be Dragons - Life of St. Josema...
Pope Francis meets with President Macron of France...
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Tuesday June 26,...
Saint June 26 : St. Josemaria Escriva : Founder #O...
#Nun Dies with Beautiful Smile and Leaves a Messag...
Vatican Convicts Former Diplomat for Child Pornogr...
Pope Francis "Our defense of the innocent unborn, ...
#BreakingNews over 86 Killed and 50 Houses Burned ...
Wow Pope Francis makes Surprise Visit to Home of 2...
Wow Sister Mariam spends 50 years of Silent Evange...
Pope Francis "Only by changing education can we ch...
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Monday June 25, ...
Saint June 25 : St. William of Vercelli : Founder ...
Pope Francis "We must learn to trust and to be sil...
Novena to St. John the Baptist - SHARE this Prayer...
Sunday Mass Online : Solemnity of the Nativity of ...
Saint June 24 : Birth of St. John the Baptist : Pa...
Patron Saint of Football or Soccer - St. Luigi Scr...
Free Christian Movie : "A Man for All Seasons" on ...
Pope Francis "...to transform "the polluted air of...
Pope Francis "More than ever, all Christians need ...
Saint June 23 : St. Etheldreda of Ely : Patron of ...
#Novena to Saint Thomas More - Prayers to the Patr...
Pope Francis Flight Interview "The commitment to p...
#BreakingNews Armed Robbers enter Church all-night...
Free Catholic Movie - "The Greatest Miracle" - Ani...
#BreakingNews Death of Conservative Charles Krauth...
Wow over 1400 Leaders including Bishop Sleep out i...
Pope Francis to #ROACO "All these make manifest th...
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Friday June 22, ...
Saint June 22 : St. John Fisher : #Martyr of #Engl...
Saint June 22 : St. Paulinus of Nola : #Bishop
Saint June 22 : St. Thomas More : Patron of #Polit...
Pope Francis at Mass in Geneva "Every time we make...
#BreakingNews Cardinal McCarrick of Archdiocese of...
Pope Francis in Geneva "Prayer is the oxygen of ec...
#BreakingNews Canadian Bishops Release Statement o...
Pope Francis in Geneva at Ecumenical Service "The ...
Saint June 21 : St. Aloysius Gonzaga : Patron of #...
Pope Francis " Jesus came to save, with his Word, ...
#BreakingNews Catholic Priest infected with Ebola ...
#BreakingNews Alfie Evans Father speaks out agains...
Saint June 20 : St. Silverius : #Pope
Pope Francis "The Christian prayer is: 'Lord, give...
Saint June 19 : St. Romuald : Abbot - #Founder of ...
Pope Francis Invites You to Share Lunch - Full Tex...
#BreakingNews Catholic Missionary Sister is allowe...
Saint June 19 : Saint Juliana Falconieri : Servant...
#BreakingNews Catholic Bishops in the USA release ...
Pope Francis warns Against Slander "after having d...
RIP Underground Catholic Bishop Joseph Li Mingshu ...
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Mon. June 18, 20...
Saint June 18 : Venerable Matt Talbot - Patron of ...
Saint June 18 : St. Elizabeth of Schoenau : Patron...
Free Catholic Movie : "Joseph of Nazareth" - #StJo...
Pope Francis "...in moments of darkness and diffic...
Sunday Mass Online : Sun. June 17, 2018 - #Euchari...
Saint June 17 : St. Avitus : #Abbot : Died 530
Pope Francis "You are an icon of God: the family i...
Wow Catholic World Cup Sports Star Javier Hernande...
Pope Francis to Sisters "...so that the light and ...
The World Cup has a Catholic Founder Jules Rimet "...
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Sat. June 16, 20...
Saint June 16 : St. John Francis Regis : #Jesuit E...
Pope Francis Jesus had "many female friends who fo...
Saint June 15 : St. Vitus : Patron of #Actors , Co...
Saint June 15 : St. Germaine Cousin : Patron of #A...