On Sunday, September 16 our parish family will celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist, and patron saint of civil servants, with special readings and prayers at the 11:30am and 1pm (Spanish) Masses. Join in the celebration of our parish patronal feast day at hospitality receptions in the North Conference room following all Masses except the 7am Mass. It's a great opportunity to meet fellow parishioners and friends of the Cathedral. The universal Church will observe the Feast of St. Matthew on Friday, September 21. That day will be celebrated as a solemnity here at St. Matthew’s, with music (cantor and organ) at the 12:10pm and 5:30pm Masses.

Jesus’ calling of Matthew to discipleship, which is the subject of the Gospel reading at the 11:30am and 1pm Masses on September 16 and at all Masses on September 21, is depicted in the mural in the west transept of the Cathedral entitled The Calling of St. Matthew—take a moment and take a look! In the mural scene, Christ calls St. Matthew, who appears astounded by the Master’s words. St. Peter, with his keys, stands to the left of Christ. On both sides of the central figures are a man and a woman. The couple on the left looks scornfully at the scene, while the other stands by in veneration. The setting is a portico beyond which are theLake ofGalilee and the distant hills. Above, a choir of six angels offers incense.

Below is a photo of the mosaic Saint Matthew and the Angel, by Edwin Howland Blashfield, the main decorative focus of the sanctuary.  In it, the seated St. Matthew holds a book inscribed with a passage from his Gospel: "Jesus saw a man sitting in the custom house named Matthew and He said to him 'Follow me.' And he arose and followed him." 

St. Matthew, pray for us!