September 21
The feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, who, having the cognomen Levi, when left a post as a publican or tax collector when called by Jesus and, chosen to be one of the Apostles, wrote a Gospel which especially proclaims that Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham, has fulfilled the Old Testament.
The commemoration of St. Jonah the prophet, son of Amittai, after whom a book of the Old Testament is named and whose famous escape from the stomach of a whale is narrated in the Gospel itself as a sign of the Lord’s resurrection.
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May Holy Mary and all the saints intercede to the Lord for us, that we may merit to be helped and saved by him who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
V. Precious in the sight of the Lord
R. Is the death of his holy ones.
V. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. And may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in pace.
R. Amen
[To learn about praying this and other Martyrology entries, see this page.]
