Saint Barnabas, Apostle

June 11 – St. Barnabas, Apostle –

Born Joseph, he was renamed after he converted to Christianity. Following his conversion he gave all his money and property to the Church, and later became a powerful missionary and preacher, traveling with St. Paul and advocating that pagans could be baptized as Christians without being circumcised. “The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch…for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:22-24 ESV). His name literally means “son of encouragement” and he lived up to it. His shield features an open Bible, presenting “the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”, surrounded by three stones, recalling the manner of his martyrdom.