The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. Barnabas
On June 11th, we celebrate the Feast of St. Barnabas, a true pioneer of the early Church. St. Barnabas may not be as well known as Peter or Paul, but his faithfulness, generosity, and encouragement changed the course of the Church. He reminds us that sometimes the most powerful witness comes not from preaching, but from believing in others, walking beside them, and quietly helping them grow in Christ.
St. Barnabas in Scripture
Barnabas first appears in the Book of Acts, where we learn that his name was originally Joseph. However, the apostles gave him the name Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). A Levite born in Cyprus, Barnabas sold a field he owned and gave the proceeds to the apostles to support the early Christian community in Jerusalem. From the very beginning, his life was marked by generosity and self-giving.
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St. Barnabas and St. Paul
Barnabas plays a crucial role in St. Paul’s life. After Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, the other disciples were understandably hesitant to trust him. Barnabas stepped in, believing Paul’s story, standing beside him, and introducing him to the apostles (Acts 9:27). His willingness to believe in someone others feared helped launch one of the most extraordinary missionary journeys in the Church’s history.
Barnabas was later sent to Antioch to encourage the new Christian community there, and he brought Paul with him. Together, they taught the believers and strengthened the Church. The disciples in Antioch would eventually commission them to bring famine relief to Jerusalem, and later, to begin their first missionary journey. Barnabas and Paul traveled together through Cyprus and Asia Minor, preaching the Gospel and planting churches.
A Providential Falling Out
Eventually, Paul and Barnabas disagreed over whether to bring John Mark on their next journey. Paul, frustrated that Mark had previously abandoned their mission, didn’t want to risk it again. But Barnabas, true to his name, wanted to give Mark a second chance. The disagreement was strong enough that they parted ways: Paul went one direction with Silas, and Barnabas took Mark back to Cyprus (Acts 15:36-39).
Though this may seem like a sad ending, it led to the expansion of the mission, and we know that Paul and Mark eventually reconciled. Paul even asks for Mark in his letters (2 Timothy 4:11), a quiet testament to Barnabas’ faithful influence.
Tradition holds that Barnabas continued preaching and eventually was martyred in his native Cyprus. He is remembered as a foundational figure in the early Church, one who encouraged the discouraged, stood up for the misunderstood, and built up the body of Christ.
Ways to Celebrate
Read Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-27; and 11:22-30
Spend time reflecting on Barnabas’ life and legacy. Consider reading these passages aloud with your family or during personal prayer, noticing Barnabas’ quiet faithfulness and the ways God used him to encourage others.
Make Haystacks
In England, St. Barnabas’ Day fell around the summer solstice, the traditional beginning of the haymaking season. Because of this, he is often depicted holding a hay rake! Farmers would begin cutting and drying hay, and after a hard day’s labor, they’d feast together with joy and music. A sweet way to remember this tradition is to make haystacks, no-bake treats made from butterscotch chips and chow mein noodles that resemble small bundles of hay.
Decorate with Woodruff and Roses
English churches were often decorated with woodruff and roses for St. Barnabas’ Day. Woodruff is a delicate, white flowering herb that grows in the forest, beautiful, fragrant, and easy to dry. If you can find it or a similar small white flower, add it to your home altar or kitchen table along with some roses in honor of the day.
Make Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake
There’s a charming tradition from Glastonbury, England, that a walnut tree in the abbey churchyard would only bud on St. Barnabas’ Day. Celebrate with a simple walnut streusel coffee cake, perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea as you remember this faithful saint.
Barnaby bright, Barnaby bright, the longest day and the shortest night.
Traditional English saying
Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake
Ingredients
- 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3⁄4 cup sugar
- 2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 cup butter
- 3⁄4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1⁄2 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour a round layer cake pan or a square 8″x 8″ or 9″x 9″ pan. Blend the first seven ingredients; beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and melted butter in a small bowl. Pour half the cake batter into the pan. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture over the batter. Pour the remaining cake batter into the pan. Top with the remaining brown sugar mixture.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Want more great ideas for celebrating the observances of Ordinary Time? Check out Ashley Tumlin Wallace’s new book, The Liturgical Home: Ordinary Time, available exclusively at Amazon.
Image: detail of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra by Johann Heiss (1678), courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Digitally edited by Jacob Davis.
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