This is the story of how St. Matthias became an Apostle, according to an imaginary character named Thaddeus. Thaddeus isn’t real, but he shows what it might have been like to be an early Christian.


My name is Thaddeus, and I remember well the day the Messiah died for man’s sins on the cross. I remember Judas Iscariot running with horror, and then committing suicide. I remember myself weeping, for I knew not what would come next since Christ was dead. Then it happened. He rose from the dead and after three days, He went into heaven right before our eyes. After that, I became a Christian. I had seen many men do fake miracles and such, but not this man. He rose from the dead three days after his death, and went into heaven, by His own power! I believe that He was the Messiah, the Savior.  

I was uninterested in any form of religion; I was pagan. I learned of Jesus performing miracles, and I had little interest. I had my own life to take care of and fishing for food was not always profitable. Even as a boy, I was always working, since my parents had not lived to raise me. I took on the fishing trade since it looked profitable, but I regretted my decision later. After I heard of Jesus’ death, I was sad. I didn’t know that I even liked what Jesus said, I was just sad. I felt a heavy emptiness in me, and I wept. Then, He rose from the dead, and my emptiness was gone. I realized that I wanted to be a Christian and I became one. When I was baptized, I was given a new name. I was Thaddeus, named after one of the Apostles. The Apostles are the priests of the Christian Church. They teach the faith to everyone who will listen. I follow the Apostles everywhere and though I’m not one, I constantly learn new things.

There were Eleven Apostles carrying on the teachings of Jesus. They were working hard, strengthening the Church. I went to them and they baptized me. The leader of us Christians is Peter. He makes the laws of the Church through the Holy Spirit, and the Apostles teach them. I learned also that Judas Iscariot was an Apostle, but that he had betrayed the Church by handing Jesus over to the Jewish leaders. I learned that we needed a new Apostle, and I prayed for one.

Peter selected two holy men that had followed John the Baptist. We were to pick one of them to be the twelfth Apostle. Their names were Barsabas, and Matthias. In the depths of my heart, I wanted Matthias to be the one chosen to be the Apostle. I knew not why, only that I just wished for him to be elected. We went into the upper room and knelt silently. We prayed that the Lord would pick his holy Apostle out of these two. We were in that room all day, and then all night, praying by candlelight. Then Peter said a prayer out loud, and then we cast lots. I watched, praying silently. Then it happened. The lot came upon Matthias and the Holy Spirit came to enlighten him. He was made Apostle. We thanked God and welcomed Matthias, the twelfth Apostle.
              
 SAINT MATTHIAS - - -  PRAY FOR US