Barnabites A religious order, founded in the sixteenth century, by three Italian gentleman, who had been advised by a famous preacher of those days to read carefully the epistles of St. Paul. Hence they were called Clerks of St. Paul; and Barnabites, because they performed their first exercise in a church of St. Barnabas at Milan. Their habit is black; and their office is to instruct, catechise, and serve in mission.