Our Patrons | Parish of St Mary's Stanwell and St Matthew's

The Blessed Virgin Mary

“Behold your Mother.”

Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, is the most venerated of all saints. Her life of humility, courage, and faith has inspired Christians for centuries. She is both a model of discipleship and a powerful intercessor for all God’s people.

          At a Glance
          Titles: Mother of God, Queen of Heaven
Patronage: The universal Church
Principal Feast Day: 15 August (Assumption)

        

Her Early Life

Tradition names her parents Joachim and Anne. Mary grew up in Nazareth and was chosen by God from her youth. The angel Gabriel announced that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, and her response — “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) — is known as the Fiat.

The Visitation and Magnificat

Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist. On hearing Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth proclaimed, “Blessed are you among women,” and Mary sang her Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55), praising God’s mercy.

Mother of the Saviour

Journeying to Bethlehem for the census, Mary gave birth to Jesus in humble surroundings. Angels and shepherds came to worship the newborn King, and wise men travelled far to offer their gifts. Later, the Holy Family returned to Nazareth.

At Cana and Calvary

Mary’s gentle intercession led to Jesus’ first public miracle at the wedding at Cana. She remained faithful during His Passion, standing at the foot of the Cross as He entrusted her to St John: “Woman, behold your son” (John 19:26–27).

Queen of Heaven

At the end of her earthly life, Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven and crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. Through apparitions at Lourdes, Fatima, and Walsingham, she continues to inspire faith and prayer in every generation.

      Feast Days of Mary
January: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
March: Annunciation of the Lord
August: Assumption of Mary
September: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December: Immaculate Conception

    

St Matthew the Apostle

“Follow me… and he rose and followed him.”

Once a despised tax collector, Matthew responded to Jesus’ call with courage and faith. His life is a powerful story of conversion, mercy, and proclamation of the Gospel.

          At a Glance
          Titles: Apostle, Evangelist, Martyr
Feast Day: 21 September
Patronage: Accountants, bankers, civil servants

        

The Tax Collector Called

His name in Hebrew means “gift of God”. The first Gospel lists him as “the tax collector” — a profession associated with greed and collaboration with the occupying Romans. Jesus saw Matthew at his tax booth and simply said, “Follow me,” and he rose and followed Him (Matthew 9:9).

Apostle of Mercy

Eating with tax collectors and sinners scandalised many, but Jesus replied: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew’s story shows that no one is beyond God’s grace.

Reflections of the Fathers

St John Chrysostom notes that Jesus deliberately chose someone despised by society to show the power of grace. “There is nothing more despicable than the tax collector,” Chrysostom wrote, “and nothing more common than fishing.” Yet Matthew became an apostle, a Gospel writer, and a saint.

Leaving Everything

Matthew’s response was immediate and total: he left behind his career and wealth to follow Jesus. His story challenges us to detach from whatever keeps us from true discipleship.

Evangelist and Martyr

Matthew is credited with writing the first Gospel, likely in Hebrew or Aramaic. After preaching to the Jews, he travelled to Cyprus, North Africa, and Ethiopia, where he was martyred with a halberd while celebrating Mass.

Legacy of the Gospel

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. As Pope Benedict XVI observed, Matthew’s transformation is a sign of how Christ calls even the least likely to become bearers of His mercy and truth.

Our Patrons: The Blessed Virgin Mary & St Matthew