Your Faith Journey with EWTN
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
First century–martyred c. 80 (traditional date)
Patron Saint of carpenters, tailors, those chosen unexpectedly, and perseverance in vocation
Jesus didn’t call St. Matthias during His earthly ministry, as He did the other Apostles. Instead, he was chosen after the Resurrection to replace Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed the Lord.
The Acts of the Apostles recount that, after Christ’s Ascension, St. Peter addressed the community of about 120 believers. He explained that Scripture foretold the need to fill Judas’s office. The Apostles set selection criteria: the new Apostle must have accompanied Jesus from His baptism by John the Baptist through the Resurrection and Ascension, becoming a witness to the Risen Lord.
Two men met these qualifications: Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias. Before casting lots, St. Peter and the Apostles prayed these words, “Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen. … “ Thus Matthias was chosen to take his place as one of the Twelve (see Acts 1:15-26).
Little information is known about Matthias’s later ministry, but early Christian tradition holds that he preached the Gospel in regions such as Judea, Cappadocia, and Ethiopia. There are varying accounts about how and where he died, but Matthias, like all the other Apostles except St. John, was martyred for the Faith.
The number twelve indicated the twelve tribes of Israel and represented the fullness of God’s people. By restoring the group to twelve, the Apostles emphasized continuity between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant established by Christ. The Twelve held a foundational role in the Church’s mission, serving as authoritative witnesses to the Resurrection. Also, maintaining quorum was essential for governing the early Church and upholding leadership within the structure Christ intended. Replacing Judas affirmed the importance of succession to the apostolic office in God’s plan to sustain His Church.
Casting lots was an ancient practice used in Jewish tradition to discern God’s will in certain circumstances. It was not random chance, but an act preceded by prayer, expressing trust that God would guide the outcome. In Acts 1, the Apostles first prayed for divine direction. St. Matthias’s selection by lot demonstrates the young Church’s reliance on God’s Providence during the transitional period before the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, who would provide counsel and guide them into all Truth (see John 16:7-15).
Several traditions surround the relics of St. Matthias. One prominent claim holds that his relics are kept in a crypt at the Abbey of St. Matthias in Trier, Germany, where devotion to him dates back to the early Middle Ages. Another tradition places his relics in Rome at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Other relics are also said to be housed at the Abbey of Santa Giustina in Padua, Italy. These longstanding devotions reflect the widespread veneration of the Apostle throughout Christian history. According to tradition, St. Helena brought the relics from the Holy Land to Italy.
Our Lord is a good Father. He invites us into life with Him and longs for us to answer His call. At times we may not understand the call, but through prayer and discernment, we must allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit.
With this resource, we hope to invite you to see the beauty in answering God’s call when He asks something of you.
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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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