St Barnabas - June 11

[edbowie]

Does anyone know why this is a memoria rather than a feast in the RC Calendar?

[JW]

St Barnabas is, I think, only one of 3 who weren't part of the 'twelve' to whom the Church accords the title 'Apostle' . The others are Paul and Matthias - someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I guess it was a feast once upon a time - a quick 'Google' suggests there were celebrations in medieval times. Can anyone throw more light on this?

[docmattc]

Even though there is an idea that we have lots of feast days in the calendar, I've just counted up in our Ordo (I know, I should get out more!) and throughout the year there are only 29 feasts. (this might alter a bit from year to year depending on how many are wiped out by Holy Week etc) There are lots of memoria (below feast) and a few solemnities (above feast). The feasts are either connected with the Lord (Presentation, Baptism, Holy Cross, ...) the BVM, Apostles (inc Matthias) or Patrons of Europe/England and Wales/the Diocese. The exceptions to this are the Archangels, Dedication of Lateran Basilica (the cathedral of our mother diocese of Rome) Conversion of Paul, Martyrdom of Stephen and Holy innocents.

Whereas Matthias became one of the twelve, Barnabas, as companion of Paul, obviously doesn't quite make it over the bar.

[organist]

I think Barnabas should have made it over the bar - without him we would not have had St Paul! He was a good man and full of faith Acts 11.19. The Anglicans give him Red status and call him an Apostle.
I know a parish dedicated to him which regularly gets called St Barnabus!

[edbowie]

It is not only St Barnabas that suffers from the vagaries of the Liturgical Calendar.

The mind boggles that St Bridget is accorded a Feast while Mary Magdlene (who was was the first to encounter Our Lord after the Resurrection and who features in the Gospel) is only accorded a Memoria !!

[organist]

Perhaps the Church can't really cope with Mary Magdalene who's role was such an important one?

[musicus]

Perhaps the Church can't really cope with Mary Magdalene who's role was such an important one?

We are not in Da Vinci Code territory here are we, organist?

[organist]

Oh no - my daughter told me not to read it - she said I wouldn't like it! So I have not read it or seen the film. I was thinking more about the role of women in the church! Having worked happily with women Anglican clergy I will say no more!