Walking with the Saints l Conversion of St. Paul, The Apostle, Patron Saint of the Daughter’s of St. Paul & The Pauline Family l January 25
Many of us know very well St. Paul, the Apostle, patron of
missionaries, theologians and of evangelizers. His Exemplary virtues are courage, constancy, fortitude, compassion, celibacy, frankness, and sincerity. We read his 13 Letters in the New Testament during Holy Mass and his teachings continue to be the important roots of theology, worship and pastoral life in the Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Eastern, and other minor Churches. St. Paul is considered by many to be the most important person, after Christ, in the history of Christianity. He was born about 5 B.C. or 5 A.D. and named Saul, in Tarsus, Cilicia (modern Turkey), of a devout Jewish family from the Tribe of Benjamin. He was involved in tent-making, was educated under Gamaliel, one of the most noted rabbis in history, and became a Pharisee. A faithful follower of the Mosaic law and the Jewish traditions, he hated the Christians. And, in fact, he took part in the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, by guarding the cloaks of Stephen’s persecutors. Saul, was intent in eradicating the Christians. He obtained the permission to capture, imprison and punish them. Yet, the Lord had other plans for him. And we know what happened next. Jesus appeared to him on his way to
Damascus saying: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul fell to the ground and Jesus told him: “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.” Blinded, Saul was led to Damascus and after three days he was baptized. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and regained his sight, was converted to Christianity and took the name Paul. After Paul’s conversion, he became an ardent apostle of Christ. He stayed in Arabia for three years, returned to Antioch and went to Jerusalem to see Peter and James. Paul and Peter decided to separate ways: Peter to preach to the Jews and he to the pagans or Gentiles. This is why he is called “Apostle of the Gentiles”. He travelled to many places in Asia Minor and in Europe. He met many trials and difficulties, but he never gave up his mission to proclaim Christ. The Jews were his greatest adversaries. But, he had also many supporters. Once, they lowered him in a basket to avoid his enemies. Many times, they helped him collect money for the churches he had established, his
converts cried when he bade them goodbye. Due to his missionary work, the Jews hated him and he was put to prison. He went to Rome to appeal to the emperor, but he was again imprisoned. While in prison, he continued to write and to
proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of God and the expected Messiah. Paul’s many Letters reveal someone who is convinced, dedicated, intelligent, compassionate, clever, quick-witted, emotional, sometimes angry and frank but profound and pervasive. Paul was beheaded in Rome about the year 64 or 67 A.D., during the persecutions of the Christians by Nero. Tradition
says that when Paul was decapitated, his head bounced three times and produced three fountains: one hot, one warm, one cold. A church was built on the spot in the 5thcentury, called St. Paul Church of Tre Fontane at Via di Acque Salvie, Rome. It was renewed in 1599 and now belongs to a religious order of men. In
1950, the fountains were sealed to prevent water pollution. The church still reminds us of the greatness of St. Paul. St. Paul is also the Patron Saint of the Daughters of St. Paul & the Pauline Family.O Glorious Saint Paul, after persecuting the Church you became God's most zealous Apostle. Obtain for us the grace to be good Christians so as to bring the faith to others and to accept any trials and tribulations that may come our way. Amen.Do I give time to the reading of the Bible and of the Letters of
St. Paul? Or do I instead enjoy reading pornographic or fake stories?
