St. Matthias was one of the 72 disciples sent out by Our Lord Jesus to preach and cure the sick. After the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven, St. Peter said that it was necessary to choose one of the disciples to replace Judas Iscariot. Two men were proposed: Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias. The apostles prayed that God who indicate who He had chosen, and they cast lots. The lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the Twelve Apostles.
St. Matthias’ early ministry focused on Judea, but later, he preached in the Roman Province of Cappadocia (Asia Minor; part of modern Turkey). He evangelized the people living along the Caspian Sea, and was martyred there, probably by crucifixion.
When most Christians today would be asked to name the Twelve Apostles, they would probably forget about Matthias — they would name St. Paul in his place. Even many of the great artists through the centuries have neglected St. Matthias! In the Roman Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I), St. Paul is listed along with the other 11 Apostles, and Matthias is listed in the later part of the prayer, next to St. John the Baptist!
In our Confraternity, we are not looking for honor. We do not pray and seek holiness in order for other people to see or praise us. Our quest to be perfectly conformed to Our Lord Jesus Christ — which the Church calls “holiness” — is carried out quietly, almost in secret. Like St. Matthias, we are called to be faithful to Christ, not to be successful in the eyes of others, or even of ourselves.
St. Matthias, pray for us!
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