St Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, was a tax collector in Capernaum when Jesus called him to follow him: "Follow me". He immediately left his table and his past life to walk behind Christ. He became an apostle and evangelist, and wrote the Gospel that bears his name, transmitting the Lord's teachings with clarity and depth. Patron saint of bankers, accountants and all those who work in the economic field, he is also invoked as a model of conversion and fidelity.
Powerful prayer to Saint Matthew
O Saint Matthew, apostle and evangelist, you who heard Jesus' call in the midst of your daily work, help us to recognise his voice in our lives. Obtain for us the grace to abandon our attachments, our weaknesses and our sinful habits in order to walk in the freedom of the children of God.
You who left the table of taxes for the table of the Kingdom, make our hearts available to the Lord's call. Inspire in each of us the courage to put God first, and to make our lives a faithful response to his love.
St Matthew, evangelist of truth, you who recorded the words of Jesus for generations to come, enlighten our minds and inflame our hearts by reading the Gospels. May your writings continue to guide our steps in faith, correct our wanderings and nourish our hope.
Apostle of conversion, you who experienced mercy, teach us not to judge but to welcome others with kindness. Obtain for us the grace of a humble and open heart, attentive to the poor, the excluded and those rejected by society, so that everyone may discover the tenderness of Christ.
Saint Matthew, patron saint of those who handle money, watch over those who work in finance, commerce and the economy. Help them to act with justice, honesty and responsibility, so that the pursuit of profit never prevails over respect for human dignity.
O glorious apostle, intercede for the Church, that she may always be faithful to the proclamation of the Gospel. Protect our pastors, strengthen the faith of believers and make every Christian a missionary of the joy of Christ.
Saint Matthew, you who tasted the sweetness of forgiveness and were transformed by the love of the Lord, present our prayers to God. Obtain for us a renewed heart, the grace of perseverance and the joy of proclaiming Jesus to our brothers and sisters.
And when our earthly pilgrimage comes to an end, accompany us to the eternal table where we will share the joy of the Kingdom with Christ and all the saints.
Saint Matthew, pray for us and keep us faithful to the Lord.
Amen.
