Blessed Bartholomew

Stained glass window from St. Dominic’s Church in Washington, D.C. Photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.

A noted writer of sermons and scriptural commentaries and a leading Dominican bishop, Bartholomew of Breganza (1201 – 70) was born in Vicenza, Italy, and educated at the University of Padua. During his studies at the university he met Dominic and joined the Dominican Order. After ordination Bartholomew was sent to preach against heresy in Lombardy and make peace among the warring factions. He preached so successfully in this difficult mission that he was called to Rome and was appointed Dominic’s successor as the pope’s theologian. Soon after, Bartholomew was named bishop of Limassol on the island of Cyprus and later bishop of Vicenza. He also founded the Militia of Jesus Christ, a society of the laity to work for peace. This window depicts Bartholomew dressed in bishop’s vestments converting and baptizing Mongols. The olive branch refers to his role as peacemaker.

The above excerpt is from Reflections of Dominican Spirituality: The Windows of St. Dominic Church, Washington, D.C. by Dr. Mary Moran.

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