St Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist: Missa “Os justi”
Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, also called Levi, was sitting at his tax-collector’s desk in Capernaum when he was called by Christ. He followed Him at once, and also gave a feast for Him and the other disciples. After the resurrection of Christ, while Matthew was still in Judea before going to the district which it had fallen to his lot to evangelize, he wrote the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Hebrew for the sake of the Jews who had become believers. Then he went to Ethiopia and preached the Gospel, confirming his teaching with many miracles.
By one of his greatest miracles, that of bringing back to life the king’s daughter, he converted the king and his wife together with the whole country to the faith of Christ. When the king died, his successor Hirtacus wished to marry Iphigenia, the daughter of the former king; but she had vowed her virginity to God, and she persevered in her holy determination. Since the vow had been taken through Matthew’s influence, Hirtacus had Matthew killed at the altar while celebrating Mass. It was on the 21st of September that Matthew’s apostolic work was crowned with the glory of martyrdom. His body was taken to Salerno, and later, under Pope Gregory VII, it was transferred to the church dedicated to St. Matthew. There it is honored devoutly by a great number of persons.
INTROIT Psalm 36: 30-31
The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment: the law of his God is in his heart. (Ps. 36: 1) Be not emulous of evil-doers; nor envy them that work iniquity. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
COLLECT
May we be helped, O Lord, by the prayers of the blessed Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, that what we ourselves cannot obtain, may be granted by his intercession. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. R. Amen.
EPISTLE Ezechiel 1: 10-14
Lesson from Ezechiel the Prophet. As for the likeness of the faces of the four living creatures; there was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four; and the face of an ox on the left side of all the four; and the face of an eagle over all the four. And their faces and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined, and two covered their bodies; and every one of them went straight forward; whither the impulse of the spirit was to go, thither they went, and they turned not when they went. And as for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like that of burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps. This was the vision running to and fro in the midst of the living creatures, a bright fire, and lightning going forth from the fire. And the living creatures ran and returned like flashes of lightning.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 111: 1,2
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he delights exceedingly in His commandments. V. His seed shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. Alleluia, alleluia. V. Thee, the glorious choir of apostles doth praise, O Lord. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Matthew 9: 9-13
At that time, Jesus saw a man sitting in the custom-house, named Matthew; and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he rose up, and followed Him. And it came to pass, as He was sitting at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and His disciples. And the pharisees seeing it, said to His disciples, Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners? But Jesus hearing it, said, “They that are in health need not a physician: but they that are ill. Go, then, and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners. “
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 20: 4,5
O Lord, Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones: he asked life of Thee, and Thou didst grant it to him, alleluia.
SECRET
May the prayers of the blessed Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, recommend to You the offering made by Your Church, which is taught by his glorious preaching. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. R. Amen.
PREFACE of Apostles
It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou wouldst not desert Thy flock, O everlasting Shepherd, but, through Thy blessed Apostles, wouldst keep it under Thy constant protection; that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom as vicars of Thy work, Thou didst set over it to be its pastors. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps 20:6
Great is his glory in Your victory; majesty and splendor You conferred upon him, O Lord.
POSTCOMMUNION
Having received Your sacrament, O Lord, we implore You, that what we have celebrated in honor of St. Matthew, Your Apostle and Evangelist, may by his intercession, benefit us as a healing remedy. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. R. Amen.
The Brighton Oratory 