The Catholic Defender: Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza

Bartholomew was born in Vicenza around 1200. At 20, he entered the Dominicans. Following his ordination, he served in various leadership positions. As a young priest, he founded a military order whose purpose was to keep civil peace in towns throughout Italy.

St. Bartholomew is the patron saint of tanners, tailors, plasterers, and leatherworkers. He is also associated with bookbinders, farmers, house painters, butchers, and glove makers due to the manner of his death.

Bartholomew was born in Vicenza around 1200. At 20, he entered the Dominicans. Following his ordination, he served in various leadership positions. As a young priest, he founded a military order whose purpose was to keep civil peace in towns throughout Italy.

In 1246, Pope Innocent IV appointed Blessed Bartholomew as Bishop of Cyprus, were he served for two years. He was then sent as Papal Legate to King Louis IX of France, who was then carrying on the Crusade against the infidels. The two saints became good friends and St. Louis chose Blessed Bartholomew as his confessor. When the King returned to France in 1252, Blessed Bartholomew returned to his diocese, where he remained for four more years, when Pope Alexander IV assigned him to be Bishop of Vicenza.

In 1248, Bartholomew was appointed a bishop. For most men, such an appointment is an honor and a tribute to their holiness and their demonstrated leadership skills. But for Bartholomew, it was a form of exile that had been urged by an antipapal group that was only too happy to see him leave for Cyprus.

Not many years later, however, Bartholomew was transferred back to Vicenza. Despite the antipapal feelings that were still evident, he worked diligently—especially through his preaching—to rebuild his diocese and strengthen the people’s loyalty to Rome.

During his years as bishop in Cyprus, Bartholomew befriended King Louis IX of France, who is said to have given the holy bishop a relic of Christ’s Crown of Thorns.

Blessed Bartholomew was well-known for his speaking skills and preached at the second translation of the relics of Saint Dominic in 1267. In 1271, he died and was laid to rest in the Church of the Holy Crown. He was beatified by Pius VI on September 11, 1793.

Despite oppositions and obstacles, Bartholomew remained faithful to his ministry to God’s People. We face daily challenges to our faithfulness and duties as well. Perhaps Bartholomew could serve as an inspiration in our darker moments.

O God, who made Blessed Bartholomew, Your Confessor and Bishop, wonderful in leading the enemies of the faith from the darkness of error to the light of truth, and in bringing back multitudes to peace and concord, grant, through his intercession, that Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, may keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with You, forever and ever. Amen.