With the eyes of the spirit...

Collect (today's Liturgy):  O God, who assigned Saint Matthias a place in 

the college of Apostles, grant us, through his intercession, that, rejoicing at how 

your love has been allotted to us, we may merit to be numbered among the elect. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you 

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“And just as He appeared before the holy Apostles in true flesh,

so now He has us see Him in the Sacred Bread.  Looking at Him

with the eyes of their flesh, they saw only His flesh, but regarding

Him with the eyes of the spirit, they believed that He was God. 

In like manner as we see bread and wine with our

bodily eyes, let us see and believe firmly that it is
His Most Holy Body and Blood, True and Living.

For in this way our Lord is ever present
among those who believe in Him, according 
to what He said: Behold, I am with you all days
even to the consummation of the world (Mt 28:20)."

St Francis of Assisi

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St Matthias

Born in Judea

+ 80 AD
Apostle (replaced Judas Iscariot)

Martyr (stoned and beheaded)

Feast Day - May 14

Statue at St. Matthias Abbey in Trier, Germany, where relics of the Apostle are kept

Some parts of his doctrine were conserved by Clement of Alexandria. 
This sentence is attributed to St Matthias:

“We must combat the flesh, taking what advantages we can 

without giving it blameworthy delights. Regarding the soul, 

we should develop it through intelligence and faith.”

Click here: St. Matthias - YouTube (2 mins)

St Matthias, pray for us!

TODAY: Day 1

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful,

and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.

 Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created,

And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, 

did instruct the hearts of Your faithful, 

grant that by that same Holy Spirit,

we may be truly wise and ever rejoice

in His consolation, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.