Saint of the Day for 14 May: St. Matthias
St. Matthias: The Chosen Apostle After the Resurrection and His Spiritual Legacy
Name
St. Matthias
Title
Apostle
Birth
1st century , Jerusalem
Death
1st century, Sebastopol
Recurrence
14 May
Martyrology
2004 edition
Prayer
Glorious St. Matthias who was a faithful disciple of the Lord and then a fervent Apostle in preaching the risen Jesus in Judea and other parts of the world, we thank the Lord who entrusted our people to Your protection. Help us too to be like You courageous witnesses of our Faith and to love our neighbor as You did who, following the example of the divine Master, died praying for Your slayers. Amen
Patron of
Caldiero, Moio de’ Calvi
Protector
of engineers, butchers
Roman Martyrology
Feast of St. Matthias, apostle, who followed the Lord Jesus from the baptism of John until the day Christ was taken up into heaven; for this reason, after the Ascension of the Lord, he was called by the Apostles in place of Judas the traitor, so that, associated among the Twelve, he too might become a witness to the resurrection.
The Saint and Mission
St. Matthias is a unique figure in the apostolic context, having been chosen to replace Judas Iscariot through a prayer-driven lottery. This method of selection reflects the early Christians’ deep conviction that God’s will should guide even the most pragmatic choices. By joining the group of the twelve apostles after Jesus’ Ascension, Matthias accepted a mission of enormous proportions: to continue the work begun by Christ and to propagate the message of salvation through the Gospel to a world that did not know it. St. Matthias’ mission, like that of all apostles, was rooted in evangelization and the founding of the first Christian communities. However, his story is particularly emblematic of the concept of faithful service and witness. There is not much detailed information about his life or missionary journeys, but his impact is unquestionably profound, as each apostle played a crucial role in keeping the flame of faith alive in the early decades of Christianity. St. Matthias embodies the ideal of faithfulness and obedience to God’s call, reminding believers that Christian mission requires courage, humility and an unconditional trust in the divine plan, even when the details of that plan remain veiled to human understanding.
The Saint and Mercy
St. Matthias, as the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, embodied in a profound way the concept of mercy, fundamental to the Christian message. His inclusion among the twelve apostles not only represented a restoration of the order and completeness of Jesus’ original group of disciples, but also an act of divine mercy, highlighting that failure and betrayal can be followed by renewal and hope. St. Matthias’ ministry was marked by the responsibility to carry forward the message of redemption and forgiveness that Jesus had taught. In his preaching and actions, Matthias would emphasize mercy as the fundamental path to salvation, calling sinners to repent and accept God’s mercy. This emphasis on mercy reflects the essence of the gospel he and the other apostles were charged with spreading: a message proclaiming that no one is beyond redemption and that God’s grace is accessible to all who seek it with a sincere heart. In this way, St. Matthias’ life and ministry continue to be a powerful reminder of the merciful heart of Christianity, a teaching rooted in acceptance and compassion for all, especially those who have fallen and are seeking the path back to the light.
Hagiography
S. Matthias was one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus Christ, raised in his school, and witnessed his wonders. Jesus ascended to heaven. Matthias remained in the cenacle in prayer union with the Apostles, waiting for the Holy Spirit. Since another apostle had to be elected in place of the prevaricating Judas, two disciples were presented to the Apostles: Joseph surnamed the Just, and Matthias…