St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist Today, September 21, we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, one of the Twelve Apostles and the inspired author of the first Gospel. Once a tax collector—considered among the most despised in Jewish society—Matthew was called personally by Christ with the words, “Follow Me.” Leaving everything behind, he rose and followed Jesus. St. Matthew’s conversion shows us the transforming power of grace. Christ does not wait for us to be perfect before He calls us; He