In the crypt, a bronze St. Matthew made by Michelangelo Naccherino in 1606 sits above the altar. The saint is shown writing the Gospel with a book resting on his left knee and a pen in his right hand.

In the crypt, a bronze St. Matthew made by Michelangelo Naccherino in 1606 sits above the altar. The saint is shown writing the Gospel with a book resting on his left knee and a pen in his right hand.

Today, Sept. 21, we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, also called Levi in the Gospels of St. Mark and St. Luke. He was a tax collector at Capernaum, a Roman garrison town.

Detail of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, "The Calling of St. Matthew" (1599-1600), Contarelli Chapel, San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome ... The Gospels offer many such examples.