Double Major Feast of Saint Barnabas, Apostle


Red Vestments

Missa "Mihi autem nimis"

       Saint Barnabas was not one of the Twelve. He was the companion of St. Paul and merited the title of Apostle by his preaching and labors. He was stoned by the Jews about 61 A.D.

        Barnabas, whose name was originally Joseph, was born 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 St. 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 and Eusebius says that he was one of the seventy Disciples; but Acts 4:36-37 favors the opinion that he was converted to Christianity shortly after Pentecost Sunday and immediately sold his property and donated all 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 , surnamed him Barnabas, a name then interpreted as meaning "son of exhortation" or "consolation".

        When Saul the persecutor, later to become 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 Acts 9: 27 relates, 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 1 Corinthians 9: 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 Barnabas as the first Bishop of Milan, as preaching at Alexandria and at Rome, whose fourth bishop, Pope 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.

      Resources: We are grateful to Friends of Our Lady of Fatima for providing the Propers for the faithful. Sources: Catholic Encyclopaedia, 1907 and Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945


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    Missa "Mihi autem nimis"

    INTROIT:    Psalm 138: 7
        Mihi autem nimis honorati sunt amici tui, Deus : nimis confortatus est principatus eorum. (Psalm 138: 1-2) Domine, probasti me, et cognovisti me : tu cognovisti sessionem meam, et resurrectionem meam. V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
        Repeat Mihi autem nimis...
        To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable : their principality is exceedingly strengthened. (Psalm 138: 1-2). Lord, Thou hast proved me, and known me; Thou hast known my sitting down and y rising up. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
        Repeat To me Thy friends...

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        COLLECT
        Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

        Oremus. Deus qui nos beáti Bárnabæ Apóstoli tui méritis et intercessióne lætificas: concéde propítius; ut, qui tua per eum benefícia póscimus, dono tuæ grátiæ consequámur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
        Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
        R. Amen.

        The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

        Let us pray. O God, Who dost make us joyful with the merits and intercession of blessed Barnabas, Thine Apostle, mercifully grant that we, who ask Thy benefits through him, may obtain them by the gift of Thy grace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
        Forever and ever.
        R.Amen.


        EPISTLE:   Acts 16: 21-26; 13: 2-3
        Léctio Actium Apostolórum. In diébus illis: Multus númerus credéntium Antiochíæ convérsus est ad Dóminum. Pervénit autem sermo ad aures ecclésiæ, quæ erat Jerosóloymis, super istis: et misérunt Bárnabam usque ad Antiochíam. Qui cum pervenísset, et vidísset grátiam Dei, gavísus est: et hortabátur omnes in propósitio cordis permanére in Dómino: quia erat vir bonus, et plenus Spíritu Sancto, et fide. Et appósita multa turba Dómino. Proféctus est autem Bárnabas Tarsum, ut quaereret Saulum: quem cum invenísset perdúxit Antiochíam. Et annum totum conversáti sunt ibi in ecclésia: et docuérunt turbam multam, ita ut cognominaréntur primum Antiochíæ discípuli, Christiáni. Erant autem in ecclésia, quæ erat Antiochíæ, prophétæ et doctóres, in quibus Bárnabas et Simon, qui vocabátur Niger, et Lúcius Cyrenénsis, et Mánahen, qui erat Heródis Tetrárchæ collactáneus, et Saulus. Ministrántibus autem illis Dómino, et jejunántibus, dixit illis Spíritus Sanctus: Segregáte mihi Saulum, et Bárnabam in opus, ad quod assúmpsi eos. Tunc jejunántes et orántes, imponentésque eis manus, dimisérunt illos.
        Deo Gratias.
        Lesson from the Acts of the Apostles. In those days, A great number of believers at Antioch were converted to the Lord; and the tidings came to the ears of the Church that was at Jerusalem touching these things, and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch: Who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced: and he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord: for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord. And Barnabas went to Tarsus, to seek Saul; whom, when he had found, he brought to Antioch. And they conversed there in the Church a whole year; and they taught a great multitude; so that at Antioch the disciples were first named Christians. Now there were in the Church which was at Antioch, prophets and doctors, among whom was Barnabas and Simon, who was called Noiger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Ghost said to them, separate me Saul and Barnabas for the work whereunto I have taken them. Then they fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away.
        Thanks be to God.

        GRADUAL    Psalm 18: 5, 2
        In omnem terram exívit sonus eórum: et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum. V. Cœli enárrant glóriam Dei: et ópera manuum ejus annúntiat firmaméntum. Allelúja, allelúja. V. (John 15: 16) Ego vos elégi de mundo, ut eátis, et fructum afferátis, et fructus vester maneát. Allelúja.
        Their sound went forth into all the earth; and their words to the ends of the world. V. The heavens show forth the glory of God; and the firmament declareth the work of His hands. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (John 15: 16) I have chosen you out of the world, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit: and your fruit should remain. Alleluia.

        GOSPEL:   Matthew 10: 16-22


        Dominus vobiscum.
        R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
        Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum.
        R.Gloria tibi, Domine

        In illo tempore: Dixit Jesus discípulis suis: "Ecce ego mitto vos sicut oves in médio lupórum. Estóte ergo prudéntes sicut serpéntes et simplices sicut colúmbæ. Cavéte autem ab homínibus. Tradent enim vos in concíliis et in synagógis suis flagellábunt vos: et ad præsedes, et ad reges ducémini propter me in testimónium illis, et géntibus. Cum autem tradent vos, nolíte cogitáre quómodo, aut quid loquámini. Non enim vos estis qui loquámini: dábitur enim vos in illa hora quid loquámini. Non enim vos estis qui loquímini, sed Spíritus Patris vestri, qui lóquitur in vobis. Tradet autem frater fratrem in mortem, et pater filium: et insúrgent fílii in paréntes et morte eos afficient: et éritis ódio ómnibus propter nomen meum: qui autem perseverávervit usque in finem, hic salvus erit."
        Laus tibi Christe.

        The Lord be with you.
        R. And with thy spirit.
        The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew. R. Glory to Thee, O Lord

        At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: " Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and simple as doves. But beware of men; for they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings, for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the gentiles. But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought of how, or what, to speak; for it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you. The brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against the parents, and shall put them to death; and you shall be hated by all men for My name’s sake; but he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved."
        Praise be to Christ

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        OFFERTORY:    Psalm 44: 17-18
        Dominus vobiscum.
        R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

        Constítues eos príncipes super omnem terram: mémores erunt nóminis tui, Dómine, in omni progénie et generatióne.
        The Lord be with you.
        R. And with thy spirit.

        Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall remember Thy name, O Lord, throughout all generations.
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        SECRET
        Munera, Dómine, oblata sanctífica, et intercedénte beáto Barnaba Apóstolo tuo, nos per haec a peccatórum nostrórum máculis emúnda. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filius tuus Dominus noster, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
        Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
        R. Amen.
        Sanctify, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gifts offered to Thee, and by the intercession of blessed Barnabas, Thine apostle, cleanse us through them from the stains of our sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
        Forever and ever.
        R.Amen.

        PREFACE   of the Apostles
        Dominus vobiscum.
        R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
        Sursum corda.
        R.Habemus ad Dominum.
        Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
        R. Dignum et justum est.

        Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare. Te Domine supplicitur exorare, ut gregem tuum pastor aeterne, non deseras: sed per beatos Apostolos tuos continua protectione custodias. Ut iisdem rectoribus gubernetur, quos operis tui vicarious eidem contulisti praesse pastores. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militia caelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes:
        SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS...
        The Lord be with you.
        R. And with thy spirit.
        Lift up your hearts.
        R.We have lifted them up to the Lord.
        Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
        R. It is meet and just.

        It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou woulds not desert Thy flock. O everlasting Shepherd; but through Thy blessed Apostles, wouldst keep it under Thy constant protection; that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom as vicars of Thy work, Thou didst set over it to be its pastors. And therefore with Angels and Archangesl, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of The glory, evermore saying:
        HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

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        COMMUNION:   Matthew 19: 28
        Vos, qui secuti estis me, sedebitis super sedes, judicantes duodecim tribus Israel.
        You who have followed Me shall sit on seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

        POSTCOMMUNION
        Dominus vobiscum.
        R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
        Oremus.
        Súpplices te rogámus, omnipotens Deus: ut, quos tuis réficis sacraméntis, intercedénte beáto Bárnabas Apóstolo tuo, tibi étiam plácitis móribus, dignánter tribus deservíre. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum. Qui vivis et regnas in cum Deo Patri in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, unum Deum.
        Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
        R. Amen.
        The Lord be with you.
        R. And with thy spirit.
        Let us pray.
        We humbly beseech Thee, O almighty God, that, through the intercession of blessed Barnabas, Thine apostle, Thou grant us, whom Thou dost refresh with Thy sacraments to serve Thee worthily with behavior pleasing in Thy sight. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
        For ever and ever.
        R. Amen.
        Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS CONCLUSION OF THE HOLY MASS