41. SAN BARTOLOME APOSTOL OF MAGALANG

Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew the Apostle 

St. Bartholomew the Apostle also known as San Bartolome Apostol is the patron saint of Magalang. Every August 24, we celebrate his feast day; commemorating his sacrifices and martyrdom to spread the good news of our Lord. But, who is St. Bartholomew? How he was one of the twelve apostles of the Lord? According to Biblical narratives especially in John 1:43-51, Bartholomew was known also as Nathanael. His connection to the Lord started when his friend Philip who later became also one of the apostles; told him, "We have found the one whom Moses wrote about in the Book of the Law and whom the prophets also wrote about". Nathanael, known for being frank and skeptical was attracted by Philip's remark. "Can anything good come from the Nazareth?". Neverthless, Philip persuaded Nathanael to see Jesus; and when Jesus saw Nathanael, he said that he was the "true Israelite, incapable of deceit". Then Nathanael asked Jesus, "How did you know me?". Jesus answered that he saw under the fig tree before Philip called him. Then Nathanael told Jesus, "You are the son of God and king of Israel". Jesus told Nathanael that "You will see greater things than these".  Then Nathanael started to follow Jesus. When the apostles were commissioned, Bartholomew and Judas Thaddaeus introduced Christianity to Armenia. He converted Polymius, king of Armenia to Christianity. Astyages, Polymius's brother consequently ordered Bartholomew's execution. According to traditions, he was flayed alive and beheaded. Other sources said that he was even crucified downward.

Image of San Jose (left) and the original image of
San Bartolome Apostol (right)
(San Bartolome Parish, Magalang, Pampanga)

When the Augustinians established Magalang on April 30, 1605, it was placed under the protection of San Bartolome Apostol. Many years had passed, Magaleños revered San Bartolome as their protector during revolts, wars, and calamities. As remarked by Louis A. Stone, an American soldier of Company I, 41st Infantry stationed in Magalang church convent in 1901, he observed the sacredness of Magaleños during the feast of San Bartolome. He remarked that, "Nothing much of interest happened in San Pedro de Magalang, until the twenty fourth of August, then, there came a sacred celebration of St. Bartholomew's day by the natives of this little mountain town. Long day before, they started their music and processions all over the town. Being assisted by all natives around the town and the nearby villages, they had been preparing for this grand feast for several days. And when the time came for the celebration, they were ready. After marching around the town for a while, and playing their national airs, they repaired to the church and there, went through a solemn service for an hour or two, in memory of their departed saint. After which they all went to their homes of their friends, where the fattened calf had been killed, and the feast was consumed with considerable appetite ". 

 Image of San Bartolome Apostol
located in San Bartolome Chapel, San Bartolome,
Concepcion, Tarlac.

San Bartolome's old image in San Bartolome Church in Magalang was carved during the administration of Fr. Fernando Vasquez, OSA, who was credited for the installation of the finishing touches of the church. The image itself was formerly located on the main altar of the church. However, due to preservation, it was placed in the old baptistery of the church. The features of this image are the apostle is holding a knife that was said to be used in flaying his skin, and a bible symbolizing its mission to carry the good news of the Lord. The old image of San Bartolome in barrio San Bartolome, Concepcion, Tarlac is said to be the original image of the old Magalang church located in the same place, and the former earned the moniker balen melacuan. According to a popular account, the said image was prevented by the old residents of San Bartolome from being brought by the group of settlers, transferring the town proper to the present site in barrio San Pedro in 1863. Thus, the image remained in barrio San Bartolome until the present. Its chapel was made up of stones taken from the old ruins of the old Magalang church flooded by the disastrous flood in 1863. The features of the image are the same as the old image of San Bartolome in Magalang, however, it has a bronze chain on his hand together with the bible and he standing above the falling Satan. 

Repository carrying the  bone relic of San Bartolome Apostol
located in San Bartolome Parish, Magalang

San Bartolome's relics are located in different parts of Europe. His large skin and many bones are initially located in the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew the Apostle in Lipari, Sicily, however they were transferred to the Basilica of San Bartolomeo in Benevento, Italy. A small part of the relics was given by Emperor Otto II to Rome and it was kept in the Basilica of San Bartolomeo, all'Isola in Rome.

A first-class relic of San Bartolome was recently enshrined in San Bartolome Parish in Magalang last 2017, and it is the first San Bartolome church all over the Philippines to have this sacred relic. This relic was taken from the bone of San Bartolome Apostol. The enshrinement of the relic was made possible, through the efforts of the former parish priest, Rev. Fr. Mario Sol M. Gabriel.

Miracles are attributed to San Bartolome in association with heavy objects. It was credited also for saving many lives in Magalang during Japanese occupation. San Bartolome is also the patron saint of tanners, shoemakers, butchers, and even persons with neurological diseases. San Bartolome together with San Judas Tadeo is the patron saint of Armenia. In the Philippines, aside from Magalang, the city of Malabon; Catbalogan, Samar; Nagcarlan, Laguna, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, San Manuel, Pangasinan, and the small barrios of San Bartolome in Sta. Ana, Pampanga and San Bartolome, Sto Tomas, Pampanga is under the patronage also of San Bartolome Apostol. Some works of art are dedicated to San Bartolome. The famous is the masterpiece of Michaelangelo, The Last Judgement in Sistine Chapel, Vatican; where the image of San Bartolome was painted and he was holding a knife and his whole flayed skin bearing the likeness of Michaelangelo. The biggest and mellowest San Bartolome bell of San Bartolome Church in Magalang was also dedicated by the parish priest of Magalang, Fr. Fernando Vasquez, OSA, to San Bartolome crafted by Hilario Sunico in 1890.  

Photo Credits:

catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com

The remaining photos are came from the author's personal camera shots.

Sources:

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle skinned alive for spreading his faith by Corazon Damo Santiago, www.businessmirror.com.ph; issued, August 28, 2014.

Stone, Louis A., Two Years in the United States Volunteer Army, Or Around the World Under the Stars and Stripes, Webster Country Times, Clay Kentucky, 1901. page 65.