The Church history is full of testimonies of saints and apostles, such as St. Bartholomew, who show by their lives how to respond to God's call with total dedication and generosity.
One of the twelve chosen by Jesus to announce the Gospel to the world. Nathanael can be a beacon of inspiration for those young men who feel the call to a priestly or religious vocation.
St. Bartholomew is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, named in the Gospels, although with few explicit mentions in the New Testament. He is traditionally identified with Nathanael, a young Israelite known for his sincerity and deep faith in Jesus. His name, Bartholomew, means son of Tolmai or son of the teacher, and Nathanael, God has given.
Although his figure appears briefly, tradition and history attribute to him a fundamental role in the expansion of Christianity, reaching distant lands to proclaim the Lord and the Gospel.
St. Bartholomew's vocation began in a moment of profound sincerity and search for truth. In the Gospel of John (1:45-51)Philip, one of the first disciples of the Master, meets Nathanael and tells him: "We have found him of whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets: Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph". Nathanael, skeptical, replies, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?".
But when he meets Jesus, who surprises him by saying that he had seen him under the fig tree before Philip called him, his heart opens to faith, exclaiming, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel."
This meeting is a precious example for all those who feel the call: a vocation is always born from a personal encounter with Christ, who knows our heart and invites us to follow him with total trust.
After his encounter with Jesus, St. Bartholomew did not hesitate to leave behind his former life to devote himself fully to the mission of proclaiming the Gospel. According to tradition, he preached in various regions, such as the India, Armenia, Mesopotamia and Ethiopiatransmitting the word of God and often facing great difficulties and persecutions.
His courage and fidelity are an example for those preparing for the priesthood or consecrated life. Unreserved dedication to the mission, courageous witness even in the face of suffering, and trust in God's providence are essential traits that St. Bartholomew transmits to us.
Like many apostles, St. Bartholomew gave his life for love of Christ and the Church. Tradition has it that he was martyred for preaching faith in Jesus. It is said that he was flayed alive, a particularly cruel martyrdom which, however, did not make him lose heart and renounce Love.
This extreme sacrifice reminds us that the priestly and religious vocation is a call to give one's life for the Gospel, not necessarily in a physical way, but with total and unreserved love, willing to give our time, talents and, at times, even face trials for the love of Christ and others.
At the CARF Foundation, which promotes the formation of diocesan priestsIn St. Bartholomew we see an exemplary model of faith, dedication and courage. His life invites us to reflect on three fundamental aspects:
The mission of the CARF Foundation is support the formation of priests so that they may respond faithfully to God's call, just as St. Bartholomew did. We believe that every seminarian, like the apostle, is called to be a light in the world, the smile of God in the world and a living witness to the love of Christ.
To support a seminarian is to accompany that vocation that springs from a personal encounter with Jesus and is expressed in a life given, often with sacrifices, for the salvation of souls. For this reason, we invite you to learn more about the Foundation's work and to join us in this beautiful mission.
St. Bartholomew, apostle and martyr, teaches us that the true greatness of the Christian life lies in responding to the call of Christ with an open heart, full of faith and love. His example challenges all those who feel the call to the priestly or consecrated life not to fear the obstacles, but to trust fully in God's grace.
May his life and testimony be an inspiration so that more and more young people may discover the beauty of vocation and give their lives to God and to the service to the Church.
At that time, Philip found Nathanael and said to him:
- We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Then Nathanael said to him:
- Can anything good come out of Nazareth?
-Come and see," Philip replied.
Jesus saw Nathanael approaching and said of him:
- Here is a true Israelite in whom there is no duplicity. Nathanael answered him:
- How do you know me? Jesus answered and said to him:
- Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.
Nathanael replied:
-Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.
Jesus replied:
-Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you think? You will see greater things. And he added:
- Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
