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Week 25 of Ordinary Time

Midday Prayer · Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Monday, September 21, 2026

Prayer Reading Mode: Prayer Space

Hours Depth: Medium

About today

Matthew was sitting at the tax booth when Jesus said, “Follow me.” He rose and followed, and the Church received a Gospel that begins with a genealogy of mercy: sinners and foreigners in the line of the Messiah. His feast is 21 September, a tax collector set among the apostles. Ask today for the grace to leave the table where we count our own, and to write with our lives the good news that Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Original – Prayer on Fire.

Saint Matthew, Apostle and EvangelistChoose how you want to pray this hour:

Opening

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

Hymn

Servants of the Servant, lead us Where the lowly paths still run. Not for glory, not for power— Only love until day is done. Christ our strength, our joy, our portion, Keep us faithful, keep us free. Make our lives a living offering Poured in quiet charity.

Original, Prayer on Fire

Psalm I

Antiphon

Foundation stones of the Church, pray that we may be faithful.

Psalm 103 (102):1–4

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses. He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities. He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

Foundation stones of the Church, pray that we may be faithful.

Psalm II

Antiphon

Sent by the Lord, we go without fear, carrying only your name.

Psalm 118 (117):1, 14–17

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

Confess to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is forever. The Lord is my strength and my praise, and he has become my salvation. A voice of exultation and salvation is in the tabernacles of the just. The right hand of the Lord has wrought virtue. The right hand of the Lord has exalted me. The right hand of the Lord has wrought virtue. I will not die, but I will live. And I will declare the works of the Lord.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

Sent by the Lord, we go without fear, carrying only your name.

Silence

Hold the psalm a little longer.

Reading of the feast

Acts 5:12a, 14

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

And through the hands of the Apostles many signs and wonders were accomplished among the people. And they all met with one accord at Solomon’s portico. Now the multitude of men and women who believed in the Lord was ever increasing,

Responsory

The Lord is wonderful in his saints. Blessed be God in his gifts. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Intercessions

On this feast, keep us faithful in the ordinary hour, and let the joy of your saints remain with us.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Closing prayer

God our Father, you give the Church this day of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. Let the grace of this Hour stay with us in work and rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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An original Prayer on Fire offering for the hours of the day