One of the twelve foundation stones of the Church, this apostle was from Cana in Galilee. Because the lists of the twelve differ, Bartholomew is usually identified as Nathaniel described in the fourth Gospel.
Tradition holds that after the Ascension he preached the Gospel in India or Armenia and suffered martyrdom.
Strengthen in us, O Lord, the faith, by which the blessed Apostle, Bartholomew clung wholeheartedly to your Son, and grant that through the help of his prayers your Church may become for all nations the sacrament of salvation. Amen