St. Matthew Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Matthew was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He was a tax collector until Jesus called him to be an Apostle. St. Matthew repented of his past sins and became a holy follower of Christ. St. Matthew was also the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy Apostle in your life!
About St. Matthew
The New Testament says that St. Matthew was the son of a man named Alpheus. Matthew was a Galilean, and it is likely that he was born in Galilee. The Gospels sometimes refer to him by the name of Levi.
The Gospels also tell us that Matthew was a tax collector. Though Matthew was a Jew, other Jews despised him because his profession included working with Roman authorities and because tax collectors often extorted people for their own personal gain. Matthew’s profession as a tax collector also meant that he was probably able to read and write in Greek and Aramaic.
Matthew was working in Capernaum collecting taxes when Jesus came to Matthew’s collection booth and said, “Follow me.” After hearing these words, Matthew got up and followed Jesus. Matthew left his old life as a tax collector behind.
As one of Christ’s disciples, Matthew followed Him and observed His ministry firsthand. Matthew was also one of the witnesses of Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven. After the Ascension, Matthew initially withdrew to the upper room with the other Apostles.
It is not known for certain where Matthew ministered and preached the Gospel after Pentecost, but some early Church Fathers (including St. Irenaeus and St. Clement of Alexandria) assert that Matthew preached the Gospel to Jews in and around Judea before traveling elsewhere to preach.
Matthew wrote his Gospel around the year 41 or 50 A.D. He wrote it in Aramaic so that the Jewish people could read it. His Gospel was aimed particularly at a Jewish audience. It is written from the perspective of a Jew, and he frequently references the Old Testament as evidence for the Jews that Jesus was indeed the Messiah fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
It is believed that Matthew left Judea because of persecution of Christians there at some point after 42 A.D. Ancient accounts do not agree on which country he traveled to, but it is commonly believed that he went to Persia, Ethiopia, or Partha.
No details are known for certain about Matthew’s death, but Tradition holds that he was martyred.
St. Matthew is often depicted in art as one of the four living creatures mentioned in Revelation 4:7: “The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a bull, the third living creature had a human face, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.” St. Matthew is shown as the creature with a human face, a winged man.
St. Matthew’s Feast Day: September 21st
Why Pray the St. Matthew Novena?
St. Matthew is the patron saint of bankers. You can ask him to pray for you if you are a banker or if you work at a bank. You can also ask him to pray for someone you know who is a banker or who works at a bank.
St. Matthew is also the patron saint of accountants. You can seek his intercession if you are an accountant, or you can ask him to pray or an accountant whom you know.
Additionally, St. Matthew is also the patron saint of civil servants. You can ask him to pray for you if you are a civil servant, or you can ask him to pray for a civil servant you know.
You can pray the St. Matthew Novena for any intention!
St. Matthew Novena Prayers
St. Matthew Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Matthew as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed from the time he chose to leave his old life behind and follow You.
St. Matthew, you worked with the Roman authorities to collect taxes from the Jews. When Jesus called you to come follow Him, you immediately left behind everything in order to do so.
Please bring my petitions before Christ Whom you chose to follow!
You became one of Jesus’ closest friends and followers. You continued on the path of holy service to God throughout the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may always be ready and willing to follow Christ wherever He calls me. Pray that I may seek to serve God wholeheartedly each day of my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Matthew, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Matthew Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Matthew as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in repenting from his sinful life and choosing to follow You.
St. Matthew, you were hated by other Jews because of your profession as a tax collector. You were seen as a public sinner because of the extortionary nature of your job, but you repented wholeheartedly when Jesus called you to follow Him.
Please bring my petitions before Jesus Who called you!
You left behind your old life and chose to devote yourself to Christ. You became His Apostle, and you continued serving Him and His Church for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may devote my life to God wholeheartedly. Pray that I may repent of my sins whenever I fail.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Matthew, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Matthew Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Matthew as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in choosing to leave behind his profitable life as a tax collector in order to follow You.
St. Matthew, you enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle when you worked as a tax collector. But when Christ called you to follow Him, you willingly chose to give up your earthly wealth in order to pursue heavenly reward.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you chose to serve!
You became one of Jesus’ closest friends and His Apostle. You devoted the rest of your life to serving God, and you did not regret leaving behind your earthly riches.
Pray for me, that I may grow in detachment to earthly goods. Pray that I may always seek heavenly reward before earthly riches.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Matthew, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Matthew Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Matthew as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed during his time as Your friend and Apostle.
St. Matthew, you chose to leave behind your old life as a tax collector in order to follow Jesus when He called you. You became His close friend and His Apostle.
Please bring my petitions before Jesus, your Divine Friend!
You had the privilege of observing Christ’s life and ministry firsthand. You loved Him and served Him throughout His life on earth, and you devoted yourself to serving His Church for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may grow in my friendship with Jesus each day. Pray that I may always seek to serve Him to the best of my ability.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Matthew, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Matthew Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Matthew as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his work writing about Your life in His Gospel.
St. Matthew, you were blessed to witness the life and ministry of Jesus firsthand as His Apostle. Then, you continued to serve God by cooperating with the Holy Spirit to write your Gospel.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You wrote your Gospel specifically aimed at your Jewish brethren, to help bring them to conversion. Because of your efforts and your cooperation with the Holy Spirit, many people have benefited spiritually for centuries.
Pray for me, that I may always cooperate with the Holy Spirit in my life. Pray that I may be as devoted a servant of God as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Matthew, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Matthew Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Matthew as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his missionary work after the Ascension.
St. Matthew, you were one of Jesus’ close friends. As His Apostle, you witnessed his life and ministry, and you helped ensure that His Gospel was proclaimed throughout the world.
Please bring my petitions before Christ Whom you preached!
It is not known for certain where you preached and ministered after Jesus ascended into Heaven, but we know that you devoted the rest of your life to writing and proclaiming the Good News.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to preach the Gospel to others. Pray that I may be ready and willing to serve God in whatever ways He calls me to.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Matthew, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Matthew Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Matthew as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in continuing to preach the Gospel throughout difficulties and persecutions.
St. Matthew, we do not know for certain where you preached and ministered after Jesus ascended into Heaven. But we know that you were instrumental in the spread of Christianity throughout the world.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so diligently!
You faithfully recorded the events of Christ’s life and ministry in your Gospel. Then, you preached as a missionary despite hostilities and persecutions for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may never allow difficulties to deter me from practicing my Faith. Pray that I may be steadfast in serving God, no matter the cost.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Matthew, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Matthew Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Matthew as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in holding fast to his Faith even to the point of death.
St. Matthew, we know few details about your life after the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, but we know that you continued to serve God and His Church through writing and preaching.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
It is believed that you were forced to flee Judea because of the persecution of Christians there. Though details of your death aren’t known for certain, Tradition holds that you gave up your life for the Faith as a martyr.
Pray for me, that I may always be courageous in my practice of the Faith, no matter the cost. Pray that I might have the courage to hold fast to my Faith even to the point of death if necessary.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Matthew, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Matthew Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Matthew as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his years of service to Your Church.
St. Matthew, you were called by Jesus to leave behind your old life as a tax collector and follow Him. After this, you devoted the rest of your life to following and serving Him.
Please bring my petitions before Christ Whom you served so faithfully!
You wrote of Jesus’ life and ministry in your Gospel so that others could come to know Him. You devoted the rest of your life to preaching the Good News and helping to establish the Church.
Pray for me, that I may be as faithful a servant of God and His Church as you were. Pray that I may always be eager to put my gifts to use serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Matthew, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.