This mission of the Church and your personal happiness are inextricably linked.

In fact, the mission of the Church is God's direct and intimate response to the human heart's unceasing desire for happiness. In our own time, it is essential that we remind ourselves that Christ did not entrust the Church with a social, political, or economic mission, but with a mission that is primarily spiritual. The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel to the people of every nation in every age (see Mark 16:15). 

Saint Bartholomew embodied this mission, and preached the Gospel in regions as diverse as India, Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, and Armenia.

Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was a native of Cana in Galilee. His encounter with Jesus is beautifully depicted in the Gospel of John (1:45-51), after which he became an Apostle. After Jesus died and rose again, Bartholomew realized that his mission was only just beginning.

Tradition holds that after Pentecost, Bartholomew embraced Jesus' command to evangelize the world. He traveled from land to land, undeterred by cultural and linguistic barriers. His message was clear and consistent: the love and salvation offered by Jesus Christ are for all people who turn to him with repentant hearts. 

In India, Bartholomew is said to have left a copy of the Gospel of Matthew, a tangible legacy of his mission. His work in Armenia, however, is perhaps his most significant contribution. There, he converted many to Christianity, including the king, which led to a flourishing Christian community. His success, though, came with a price. Saint Bartholomew faced severe persecution, and was ultimately killed for his faith.

We likely won’t face death for proclaiming the Gospel, but we all face the challenge of living out the Gospel joyfully so that others want to follow our example. When we allow the Gospel to transform the way we live and love and work, it elevates every honest human endeavor and every aspect of society. 

The Gospel is alive and active. It has the power to transform our lives, our communities, our nations, and even the whole world. There is no word, thought, or action in our lives that is beyond the reach of the Gospel. 

When we allow the Gospel to reach every aspect of our lives, we become living and breathing bearers of the Word. Then, we are living out the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel to the people of every nation in every age. Then, we experience true joy.



Feast Day: August 24 

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Jeanne Antide Thouret and Saint Emily de Vialar

Patron Saint of: Tanners, Plasterers, Tailors, Leatherworkers, Bookbinders, Farmers, Housepainters, Butchers, and Glove Makers

Also Known As: Nathaniel of Cana

Symbols: A Knife