S. MATTHÆI, APOSTOLI ET EVANGELISTÆ

Ad Laudes matutinas: novus

Præclára qua tu glória,

Levi beáte, cíngeris,

laus est Dei cleméntiæ,

spes nostra ad indulgéntiam.

Telóneo quando ássidens

nummis inhæres ánxius,

Matthæe, Christus ádvocans

opes tibi quas præparat!

Iam cordis ardens ímpetu

curris, Magístrum súscipis,

sermóne factus ínclito

princeps in urbe cælica.

Tu verba vitæ cólligens

Davídque facta Fílii,

per scripta linquis áurea

cæléste mundo pábulum.

Christum per orbem núntians

conféssus atque sánguine,

dilectiónis vívidæ

suprémo honóras pígnore.

O martyr atque apóstole,

evangelísta nóbilis,

tecum fac omne in sæculum

Christo canámus glóriam. Amen.

The resplendent glory with which you are girded, O blessed Levi, is praise of God’s mercy, our hope for pardon. When you were seated near the toll-booth, clinging anxiously to your money, O Matthew, Christ called you to the riches which he had prepared for you.  Then compelled by the ardor of your heart you run to receive the Master, who with his noble word makes you a prince in the heavenly city.  Recording the words of life and the deeds of the Son of David, through the precious scriptures you leave behind the world for heavenly food. Proclaiming Christ throughout the world, witnessing to him by shedding your blood, you honor him with the highest pledge of living love. O Martyr and Apostle, renown Evangelist, grant that we with you in every age may sing the glory of Christ. Amen.