St. Matthew
Feast day: September 21
Born presumably in Galilee, the son of Alphaeus, Matthew worked as a tax collector at Capernaum. He was called to be one of the Twelve Apostles and was one of the witnesses of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. He was also one of the four evangelists. Matthew authored the first Gospel of the New Testament, now known as the Gospel of Matthew, in which he chronicled the life and ministry of Christ. Matthew preached in Jerusalem and then went to Ethiopia. He was believed to have been martyred in Persia or in Ethiopia.
Collect
O God, who with untold mercy
were pleased to choose as an Apostle
Saint Matthew, the tax collector,
grant that, sustained by his example and intercession,
we may merit to hold firm in following you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
