September 21 is a very important day in Catholic history because the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. Across the centuries, this date has also witnessed the death of a pope, the election of another pope, martyrdoms in Korea, important events during the Second Vatican Council, and major papal journeys.
Here are 10 memorable and important events connected with Catholic Church history on September 21.
1. September 21, 687 – Pope Conon Dies
Pope Conon died on September 21, 687, after serving as pope for less than one year. Before becoming pope, he had been a priest in Rome.
At the time of his election, different groups in Rome were arguing over who should become the next pope. Conon was chosen as a compromise candidate because he was respected for his age and peaceful character.
During his short papacy, he welcomed St. Kilian and his missionary companions and sent them to preach Christianity in what is now Germany. His short time as pope reminds us that even a brief period of leadership can leave an important mark on the Church.
2. September 21, 1217 – The Battle of St. Matthew’s Day Takes Place in Estonia
On September 21, 1217, an important battle took place near Viljandi in present-day Estonia. It became known as the Battle of St. Matthew’s Day because it happened on the feast of St. Matthew.
It formed part of the Livonian Crusade, during which military religious forces from Western Europe fought to extend Christian control in the Baltic region.
The crusading army defeated a large Estonian force led by Lembitu, who was killed. This is a difficult part of Christian history because the spread of Christianity became mixed with war, political control and forced submission. It reminds us that Church history contains both inspiring and painful chapters.
3. September 21, 1676 – Blessed Innocent XI Is Elected Pope
On September 21, 1676, Cardinal Benedetto Odescalchi was elected pope and took the name Innocent XI. The cardinals had spent almost two months choosing a successor to Pope Clement X.
Innocent XI became known for trying to reduce unnecessary spending in Rome and for strongly opposing favouritism toward relatives in Church leadership.
He lived simply and encouraged cardinals to do the same. His papacy also came during a difficult period of political disagreement between the Church and powerful European rulers, especially King Louis XIV of France. Pope Pius XII later beatified Innocent XI in 1956.
4. September 21, 1839 – Three Catholic Missionaries Are Martyred in Korea
On September 21, 1839, Bishop Laurent Imbert, Father Pierre Maubant and Father Jacques Chastan were killed in Korea because of their Catholic faith and missionary work. Christianity was heavily restricted, and Catholics were being arrested and killed.
Bishop Imbert had already been captured. Believing that surrendering might protect other Catholics, he asked the two priests to give themselves up as well.
The three missionaries were eventually beheaded at Saenamteo. They became part of the great story of the Korean Martyrs. Pope John Paul II canonized them together with other Korean martyrs during his visit to Seoul in 1984.
5. September 21, 1953 – Young Jorge Bergoglio Discovers His Call to the Priesthood
September 21, 1953 became a life-changing day for Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the young man who would many years later become Pope Francis.
He was almost 17 years old. Before meeting friends for a celebration, he went into a church in Buenos Aires and decided to go to confession.
During that confession, he experienced God’s mercy in a very powerful way and became convinced that God was calling him to the priesthood.
He later described that moment as something that changed his life. The date was especially meaningful because September 21 is the Feast of St. Matthew, the sinner and tax collector whom Jesus called to follow Him.
6. September 21, 1963 – Pope Paul VI Speaks About Greater Cooperation Between the Pope and Bishops
On September 21, 1963, Pope Paul VI addressed the Roman Curia shortly before the second session of the Second Vatican Council.
One important idea he continued developing was greater cooperation between the Pope and bishops from around the world in caring for the universal Church.
This idea became very important during Vatican II. Two years later, Pope Paul VI created the Synod of Bishops, giving bishops from different countries a regular way to meet, discuss Church needs and advise the Pope. Vatican records specifically identify his September 21, 1963 address as part of the development that eventually led to the Synod.
7. September 21, 1965 – Vatican II Takes Major Steps on Religious Freedom and the Modern World
On September 21, 1965, the bishops taking part in the Second Vatican Council held an important vote on religious freedom. A large majority agreed that the proposed text could move forward toward becoming an official Council declaration.
That document eventually became Dignitatis Humanae, the declaration on religious freedom. On the same day, the Council Fathers also began discussing the revised text about the relationship between the Church and the modern world.
That work eventually became Gaudium et Spes, one of Vatican II’s best-known documents. It discussed human dignity, family life, culture, social justice, war, peace and the Church’s responsibility in the modern world.
8. September 21, 1978 – Pope John Paul I Speaks About the Christian Family
On September 21, 1978, Pope John Paul I met a group of American bishops who were visiting Rome. He spoke strongly about the importance of Christian family life.
He described the family as a “domestic Church,” meaning that the home should be one of the first places where children learn about God, prayer, love and Christian living.
He encouraged parents to be the first teachers of faith for their children and stressed the importance of family prayer. This address became especially memorable because John Paul I’s papacy was extremely short. He died only seven days later, on September 28, after just 33 days as pope.
9. September 21, 2014 – Pope Francis Makes an Important Visit to Albania
On September 21, 2014, Pope Francis travelled to Tirana, Albania, for a one-day apostolic visit. Albania had suffered severe religious persecution under communist rule, when religious practice was heavily suppressed.
Francis celebrated Mass in Mother Teresa Square and met priests, religious people, survivors of persecution, young people and charitable groups.
He also met leaders of other Christian communities and other religions. The Pope praised the peaceful way different religious communities lived together in Albania and spoke strongly in support of religious freedom. He also honoured Catholics who had remained faithful during years of persecution and imprisonment.
10. September 21, 2015 – Pope Francis Celebrates St. Matthew’s Feast in Cuba
On September 21, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Holguín, Cuba, during his historic apostolic journey to Cuba and the United States.
The date was personally important to him because it was the Feast of St. Matthew and also the anniversary of the experience that had led him toward the priesthood in 1953. In his homily, Francis spoke about Jesus looking at Matthew, a tax collector considered a sinner, and simply saying, “Follow me.”
He explained how God’s mercy can completely change a person’s life. Later that day, he travelled to Santiago de Cuba and prayed at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity.
Feast of the Day – St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
September 21 is the Feast of St. Matthew, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and traditionally associated with the Gospel according to Matthew.
Matthew was working as a tax collector when Jesus saw him and said: “Follow me.” Matthew got up, left his old life and followed Jesus.
Tax collectors were disliked by many Jewish people because they collected money for the Roman authorities. Yet Jesus called Matthew despite his reputation.
That makes Matthew’s story very powerful. Your past does not prevent God from calling you to a new purpose.
The Church has celebrated St. Matthew on September 21 for centuries. Historical traditions disagree about exactly where and how he died, so it is better to treat September 21 primarily as his liturgical feast day rather than claim that every detail of his death on this date is historically certain.
An Interesting September 21 Connection
There is a remarkable connection between St. Matthew and Pope Francis. Matthew was a man whom Jesus unexpectedly called while he was living his ordinary life.
On September 21, 1953, the Feast of St. Matthew, the young Jorge Bergoglio had the confession experience that awakened his own calling to the priesthood. Sixty years later, as Pope Francis, he spoke again about this event on September 21, 2013.
This connection became so important to Francis that his episcopal and papal motto, “Miserando atque eligendo,” is connected with the calling of St. Matthew and God’s merciful choice of a sinner.
What Can We Learn From September 21?
- September 21 gives us a powerful message about calling, conversion and faithfulness.
- St. Matthew left his old life when Jesus called him.
- The Korean martyrs remained faithful even when Christianity could cost them their lives.
- Pope Paul VI worked to bring bishops into closer cooperation in serving the worldwide Church.
- Pope John Paul I reminded families that faith begins in the home.
- Pope Francis’ own vocation shows that an ordinary day, an unexpected confession or one encounter with God can completely change the direction of a person’s life.
The message of September 21 is simple: God can call you from where you are today and lead you toward something you never imagined.
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