Matthew the Evangelist
Tax collector turned apostle who authored the Gospel of Matthew.
Patronage
Accountants, tax collectors, customs officers, money managers, financial administrators
Virtues & Traits
Biography
Matthew, originally named Levi, was a Jewish tax collector working for the Roman occupiers in Capernaum when Jesus called him to discipleship. His career collecting taxes made him despised by fellow Jews, yet Jesus chose him as an apostle, demonstrating radical acceptance and redemption. Matthew abandoned his lucrative position to follow Christ, later becoming one of the Twelve Apostles. He authored the Gospel bearing his name, written primarily for Jewish Christians to demonstrate Jesus as the promised Messiah through fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. According to tradition, Matthew preached the Gospel in various regions including Judea, Ethiopia, and Persia. He is believed to have been martyred for his faith, though accounts vary regarding the location and manner of his death. His transformation from despised tax collector to revered evangelist symbolizes the power of grace and conversion.
Prayer
Prayer to St. Matthew the Evangelist
O glorious Saint Matthew, chosen by Jesus to be His Apostle and Evangelist, we honor you as the faithful recorder of our Lord's life and teachings. You who left all worldly possessions to follow Christ, and who gave your life in service to the Gospel, we beseech you to intercede for us before the throne of God. Grant us the grace to follow Christ with the same wholehearted devotion you showed, and help us to grow in faith and understanding of the Good News. Through your prayers, may we be strengthened in our commitment to live as true disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Generated by Find My Saint for personal reflection. Not an official Church prayer.