St. Matthew
Apostle, Evangelist, Patron of Bankers
📖 Life of St. Matthew
St. Matthew was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and the author of the first Gospel. Little is known about his life, except that he was the son of Alpheus and was probably born in Galilee. He worked as a tax collector, a profession that was hated during the time of Christ.
According to the Gospel, Matthew was working at a tax collection booth in Capernaum when Christ came to him and said: "Follow me." With this simple call, Matthew became a disciple of Christ and abandoned his previous life to follow the Master.
Many years after Christ's death, between 41 and 50 AD, Matthew wrote his Gospel in Aramaic, hoping to convince his countrymen that Jesus was the Messiah and that His kingdom had been fulfilled in a spiritual way. It is the first of the four Gospels in the New Testament.
🌟 Legacy of St. Matthew: Apostle and Evangelist
Spiritual Legacy
St. Matthew left a legacy of conversion, evangelization, and witness. His life demonstrates that no one is beyond God's grace - even a hated tax collector can become a holy apostle and evangelist.
Model of Conversion
As a former tax collector, Matthew represents the radical transformation that Christ can work in any person. His example inspires everyone to respond to Christ's call, regardless of their past.
Evangelist and Teacher
Through his Gospel, Matthew continues to teach millions of people about Jesus Christ. His account is the first of the four Gospels and establishes Jesus as the promised Messiah and the founder of the New Covenant.
📅 Feast Day
Feast of St. Matthew
Liturgical Celebration
The feast of St. Matthew is celebrated on September 21, a date established by the Church. It is a time to pray for the conversion of sinners, for evangelization, and to be inspired by his example of responding to Christ's call.
Traditions and Customs
Parishes and communities promote readings from Matthew's Gospel, prayers for conversion, and acts of charity in his memory, highlighting the importance of evangelization and Christian witness.
🛡️ Patronage
Primary Patronages
- • Bankers: Patron of bankers and financial workers
- • Accountants: Patron of accountants and bookkeepers
- • Tax Collectors: Patron of tax collectors and revenue agents
- • Evangelists: Patron of evangelization and missionary work
- • Writers: Patron of Christian writers and authors
- • Salerno: Patron saint of Salerno, Italy
Special Intentions
- • Conversion: Patron of sinners seeking conversion
- • Financial Matters: Helper in financial difficulties
- • Evangelization: Patron of spreading the Gospel
- • Writing: Patron of Christian writing and publishing
- • Repentance: Patron of those seeking forgiveness
- • New Beginnings: Helper in starting new chapters in life
🙏 Prayers
Prayer to St. Matthew
"O Glorious St. Matthew, in your Gospel you portray Jesus as the longed-for Messiah who fulfilled the Prophets of the Old Covenant and as the new Lawgiver who founded a Church of the New Covenant."
"Obtain for us the grace to see Jesus living in his Church and to follow his teachings in our lives on earth so that we may live forever with him in heaven."
St. Matthew, pray for us!
Short Prayer
"St. Matthew, patron of bankers and evangelists, pray for us!"
Related Saints
St. Mark
Evangelist and author of the second Gospel, companion of St. Peter and patron of Venice.
St. Luke
Evangelist and author of the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, patron of physicians and artists.
St. John
Evangelist and author of the fourth Gospel, the Beloved Disciple and patron of theologians.