Saints, Feast, Family
- Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring -
September 21
Saint of the day:
Saint Matthew
Patron Saint of Accountants, Actors, Bankers, Bookkeepers, Tax collectors, Taxi Drivers
Saint Matthew’s Story
Matthew was a Jew who worked for the occupying Roman forces, collecting taxes from other Jews. The Romans were not scrupulous about what the “tax farmers” got for themselves. Hence the latter, known as “publicans,” were generally hated as traitors by their fellow Jews. The Pharisees lumped them with “sinners” (see Matthew 9:11-13). So it was shocking to them to hear Jesus call such a man to be one of his intimate followers.
Matthew got Jesus in further trouble by having a sort of going-away party at his house. The Gospel tells us that many tax collectors and “those known as sinners” came to the dinner. The Pharisees were still more badly shocked. What business did the supposedly great teacher have associating with such immoral people? Jesus’ answer was, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:12b-13). Jesus is not setting aside ritual and worship; he is saying that loving others is even more important.
No other particular incidents about Matthew are found in the New Testament.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-matthew/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_the_Apostle
Prayer:
Visit:
St Matthew
(Relics: Salerno, Italy)
Duomo di Salerno
(Salerno Cathedral)
Via Duomo 1
84121 Salerno, Italy
*The relics of St Matthew were brought to Salerno in 954 AD. A festival honoring this translation occurs annually on May 6th. His relics are preserved within the richly decorated crypt of this church.
*Despite being the legitimate pope, St Gregory VII was forced out of Rome in 1084 as a result of his ties to the Normans and the political pressures created by the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV, and the antipope, Clement III. A year later St Gregory VII died in Salerno as an exile. His remains now rest under an altar in the right transept of this church.
Churches of Honor in Rome
Santissima Trinita dei Pellegrini
(The Most Holy Trinity of the Pilgrims)
Via dei Pettinari 36/A
Rome, Italy
*This church is located near Piazza Farnese.
*Above the altar in the right transept is a statue of St Matthew.
San Luigi dei Francesi
(Saint Louis of the French)
Piazza San Luigi dei Francesi 5
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza Navona.
*This church is known for its paintings. The most famous being The Calling of St Matthew by Caravaggio located in the Contarelli Chapel.
This is the last chapel on the left side of the nave. The other two paintings in this chapel are also attributed to
Caravaggio and are entitled The Martyrdom of St Matthew and The Inspiration of St Matthew.
Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Our Lady in Aracoeli)
Piazza del Campidoglio 4
Rome, Italy
*This church is on top of the Capitoline Hill.
*The fifth chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Matthew.
*Also relics of St Helena, the mother of Constantine, rest in the left transept.
Flamenco Fair of Spain
Flamenco fair of Spain is the feast of Saint Matthew that is widely celebrated across the place. It is one of the best festivals in Europe summer as it is the last big party of the prolonged summer. The festivals showcase electrifying dancing and drinking hours with a fair by night. Apart from shopping and grabbing local delicacies, you can also indulge in some traditional horse riding sessions here.
Recipe:
Jewish Apple Crown Cake
Ingredients:
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2 1/2 pounds Granny Smith Apples or other tart baking apples
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1/3 cup honey
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1 tablespoon cinnamon
Cake:
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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2 cups sugar
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1 cup canola oil
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4 large eggs
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1/3 cup orange juice
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1 tablespoon baking powder
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1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon salt
Glaze:
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3 - 4 tablespoons apricot jam, heated in the microwave
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 325', with rack centered in the oven.
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Peel and core the apples. Split the rings in 1/2. Using an apple peeler produces the most even results. See 'Kitchen Gadgets' to view.
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Gently toss the peeled apples with the cinnamon and honey. Count out 14 1/2 rings and set aside. They'll be used on the top. Crunch the rest of the apples into a little bit smaller pieces. Set aside.
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Assemble the remaining ingredients.
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Put all the cake ingredients (not the apples) into the mixing bowl. Beat on low to blend. Turn the mixer to high and beat for 2 minutes. This is very important. We need to incorporate air into the mixture so the cake is nice and tall after it bakes.
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If using a 10" tube pan, this recipe will make 1 cake. If using 7" tube pans, it will make 2. It will also make a 9" x 13". Spray the bottom of the cake pan with non-stick spray.
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For a 10" tube pan:
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Put 1/3 of the batter into the bottom of the pan.
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Sprinkle 1/2 the apples on top of the cake batter. Make sure they lay flat and don't stand up against the side of the pan.
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Add another layer of the batter. Follow with the rest of the apples (but not the ones for the top). Add the remaining batter. Smear it over the apples as it is sort of stiff. You can also moisten your fingers in the liquid from the apples and then move the batter with your finger tips. It helps with the sticking.
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Arrange the remaining apples around the top of the cake. Drizzle any honey/cinnamon that may be left over the top of the cake. Bake a 10' for an hour or so. The cake is done when it springs back all the way after being pressed with a finger on top.
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When the cake is baked, remove from the oven and let sit about 1/2 hour on a wire rack, still in the pan. Cut around the outside of the cake with a long, thin knife to loosen. When you cut, press the metal of the knife to the metal of the pan. That way, you won't cut chunks out of the cake. Remove the outer pan, leaving the cake to cool longer attached to the center pan piece. Once cooled, use the knife to cut the bottom of the cake from the pan, again, knife against the metal, not the cake.
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Invert and gently slide the cake off the center of the pan. Set onto cake plate.
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Heat the apricot jam in the microwave, thin with a little hot water if it is too thick. Brush over top of cake to glaze. Allow cake to cool before cutting.
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