Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles of
Jesus Christ. He was introduced to Jesus Christ through Saint Philip and
is also known as "Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee," and that was what we heard in the gospel account.
St. Bartholomew is
believed to have carried the Gospel to India, Mesopotamia, Persia,
Egypt, and Armenia and was martyred there.
Because of the manner in which he died - he was flayed (skinned alive and then beheaded), St.
Bartholomew became the patron saint of butchers, tanners, and leather workers, who peel the hide off animals before the carcasses are sent to the butcher.
St. Bartholomew the apostle has long been associated with skin diseases and may be considered the patron saint of dermatology, which is the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders.
St. Bartholomew would have not thought that this was in store for him as he followed Jesus.
But he was faithful to his calling and witnessed with his life to Jesus, whom he acknowledged as Son of God and King of Israel.
May St. Bartholomew pray for us that we too be faithful to God and grow in our conviction of Jesus as our Saviour and proclaim Him by the witness of our lives.