St. Barnabas: Feast Day, Patronage & Prayers
Updated: Oct 3
Feast day: June 11 (Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle)
Patron of: Cyprus.
About St. Barnabas
St. Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus named Joseph, whom the apostles nicknamed Barnabas, "son of encouragement." The Acts of the Apostles introduces him selling a field and laying the money at the apostles' feet, and it calls him "a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." Although he was not one of the Twelve, the Church honors him with the title of apostle.
When the newly converted Saul came to Jerusalem and the disciples were afraid of him, it was Barnabas who took him by the hand, brought him to the apostles, and vouched for him. Later Barnabas went to find Paul in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch, where the disciples were first called Christians. Together they set out on the first great missionary journey, through Cyprus and Asia Minor, and they defended the welcome of Gentile believers at the Council of Jerusalem. When they later disagreed about John Mark, Barnabas gave the young man a second chance. Tradition holds that he was martyred in Cyprus. Barnabas shows how much good an encourager can do.
Prayers to St. Barnabas on Daily Catholic Prayers
Browse every saint in our Catalog of Saints A–Z.
Comments