September 21st - Feast of St. Matthew

Feast in honor of St. Matthew the apostle and gospel writer.  As a tax collector Matthew was hated by his fellow Jews as a representative of their Roman rulers and considered to be the rankest of sinners.  Through his response to Christ's call he is a symbol to the religious leaders that salvation is available to all sinners.  According to tradition Matthew went to Egypt and Ethiopia after Christ's death.  There are conflicting legends regarding his death. Some say that he died of old age and others that he was martyred. St. Matthew has become the patron of bankers, bookkeepers, security guards and tax collectors.