Saint of the Day!

JUNE 11
ST. BARNABAS

Although not one of the original twelve apostles, Barnabas is called an
apostle by St. Luke in his Acts of the Apostles. This is because, like Paul
the apostle, Barnabas received a special mission from God. He was a Jew born
on the island of Cyprus. His name was Joseph, but the apostles changed it to
Barnabas. This name means "son of consolation. "
As soon as he became a Christian, St. Barnabas sold all he owned and gave
the money to the apostles. He was a good, kind-hearted man. He was full of
enthusiasm to share his belief in and love for Jesus. He was sent to the
city of Antioch to preach the Gospel. Antioch was the third largest city in
the Roman Empire. Here is where the followers of Jesus were first called
Christians. Barnabas realized that he needed help. He thought of Paul of
Tarsus. He believed that Paul's conversion had been real. It was Barnabas
who convinced St. Peter and the Christian community. He asked Paul to come
and work with him. Barnabas was a humble person, and was not afraid of
sharing the responsibility and the power. He knew that Paul, too, had a
great gift to give and he wanted him to have the chance.
Sometime later, the Holy Spirit chose Paul and Barnabas for a special
assignment. Not long afterward, the two apostles set off on a daring
missionary journey. They had many sufferings to bear and often risked their
lives. Despite the hardships, their preaching won many people to Jesus and
his Church.
Later St. Barnabas went on another missionary journey, this time with his
relative, John Mark. They went to Barnabas' own country of Cyprus. So many
people became believers through his preaching that Barnabas is called the
apostle of Cyprus. It is commonly believed that this great saint was stoned
to death in the year 61.

In prayer today, we can ask the grace to "kindle in us the flame of love by
which St. Barnabas brought the light of the gospel to the nations."