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16. The twelve Apostles.

The Lord was gaining more and more disciples, and wherever he was seen, large crowds gathered around him from all parts of the country. Many brought their sick to him that he might heal them, and their sorrows that he might comfort them. Many also wanted to hear his blissful discourses and learn from him how to become pious and blessed. Wherever he went, they accompanied him. But he often withdrew from the eyes of the people and the disciples, saying that he was alone and talking to God. Once, when he had spent a whole night alone on a mountain praying, the next morning, when his disciples gathered around him again, he chose twelve of them whom he wanted, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. From then on, these were to be around him as much as possible, to see all his deeds and hear all his sayings and learn from him in particular, so that they would be properly imbued with his holy teaching and his love, and that after his death they would go out into the world and become his witnesses to posterity and lead many people into the kingdom of God, which is why he called them apostles, that is, messengers.

Now the names of the twelve apostles are: Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Philip and Bartholomew, which is Nathanael, the same who once asked, ‘What good can come out of Nazareth?’ to whom Philip said, ‘Come and see!’ These are six. The seventh is Matthew, whom Jesus called from the tollhouse, all well-known men for whom we already have a love. The eighth is called Thomas, the ninth James the son of Alphaeus, the tenth Judas, surnamed Thaddeus, the eleventh Simon of Cana. Like the others, each of these turned to Jesus in his own hour and on the occasion that God gave him, and remained faithful to him until death.

Many a boy, who is also called Simon or Andrew, James or John, Philip or Thomas, is reminded that he should bear his name in memory and honour of a holy apostle and likewise remain faithful to Jesus Christ with love and obedience until death, the Lord of the apostles.

The twelfth disciple is called Judas with the surname Iscariot. He must also be called.