Saint Matthias – 14 May – Saint Of The Day
Saint Matthias. An apostle who was not appointed by Jesus. The one who replaced Judas Iscariot. Patron saint of alcoholics and carpenters.
Matthias was chosen by God through the apostles to replace Judas Iscariot after the betrayal of the last Jesus and his subsequent death. His calling as an apostle is unique in that his appointment was not personally appointed by Jesus, who had already ascended into heaven, but was also made before the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the early Church.
Matthias is not mentioned in the lists of Jesus’ disciples or followers in the three synoptic gospels, but according to Acts he was with Jesus from his baptism by John until his Ascension. In the following days, Peter invited the assembled disciples, about 120 in number, to appoint two men to replace Judas. They chose Joseph, whose name was Barsabas (whose last name was Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed: “Thou, O Lord, Who knowest the hearts of all [men], show which of these two Thou hast chosen, that he might take part in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas fell by sin, that he might go.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias – and therefore he was numbered among the eleven apostles.
There is no additional information about Matthias in the canonical New Testament.
Saint Matthias is the patron saint of alcoholics, carpenters and tailors.
