FEAST: MAY 14
Little is known of St. Matthias other than what is mentioned in the first chapter of Acts of the Apostles. One of the first things the Apostles did after the Ascension was pray for a way to replace Judas as one of the twelve. They chose two men, Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias. They then prayed to the Holy Spirit and cast lots. The lots fell to Matthias, and he became the next Apostle. Matthias would have known Jesus and been his disciple, but was not elevated to Apostle until after the Ascension of Jesus. There are conflicting reports of St. Matthias’s martyrdom. Some say he was crucified, others say he was stoned, and still others say he was beheaded.