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St
Matthias, Apostle |
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Feast Day: May 14
- Memorial
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14 May
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- Profile
- Apostle. As he could bear witness to the Resurrection of Jesus, he
was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.
Preached the Gospel for more than 30 years in Judea, Cappadocia,
Egypt and
Ethiopia. Remembered for preaching the need for mortification of the
flesh with regard to all its sensual and irregular desires.
Martyr.
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- Died
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stoned to death at Colchis in 80 AD; some relics in the abatical
church of Triers, others in Saint Mary Major in
Rome
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- Name Meaning
- gift of Yahweh (Mattithiah)
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- Patronage
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alcoholism,
carpenters, diocese of
Great Falls-Billings Montana,
reformed alcoholics,
smallpox,
tailors
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- Prayers
- Prayer
to...
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- Images
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Gallery of images of Saint Matthias
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- Readings
- "In those days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples and
said..." As the fiery spirit to whom the flock was entrusted by Christ
and as the leader in the band of the apostles, Peter always took the
initiative in speaking: "My brothers, we must choose from among our
number." He left the decision to the whole body, at once augmenting the
honor of those elected and avoiding any suspicion of partiality.
Did not Peter then have the right to make the choice himself? Certainly
he had the right, but he did not want to give the appearance of showing
special favor to anyone. "And they nominated two," we read, "Joseph, who
was called Barsabbas and surnamed Justus, and Matthias." He himself did
not nominate them; all present did. But it was he who brought the issue
forward, pointing out that it was not his own idea but had been
suggested to him by a scriptural prophecy.
And they all prayed together, saying: "You, Lord, know the hearts of
men; make your choice known to us. You, not we." Appropriately they said
that he knew the hearts of men, because the choice was to be made by
him, not by others.
They spoke with such confidence, because someone had to be appointed.
They did not say "choose" but "make known to us" the chosen one; "the
one you choose," they said, fully aware that everything was being
preordained by God.
from a homily on the Acts of the Apostles by Saint
John Chrysostom
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