St. Paul’s Conversion

The Conversion of St. Paul

Apostle

Saul of Tarsus was born a few years after Christ, the son of a prominent Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin. He was also a Roman citizen, with the Latin name Paul. He practiced the trade of tent-making, and was educated in the Law in Jerusalem by the wise Gamaliel, another future saint who defended the Apostles before the Sanhedrin. Like most other Pharisees, Saul was a fierce enemy of the Christians, and he was complicit in the stoning of St. Stephen Protomartyr. St. Augustine credits St. Stephen’s intercession for Saul’s conversion, which only came after much violent persecution that rendered Saul’s name a fear to all Christians. On his way to carry out a great persecution in Damascus, Saul was suddenly struck from his horse by a heavenly light, and the voice of Christ admonished Saul for persecuting the Church. Saul was converted on the spot, and remained blind for three days in Damascus, during which time he fasted in reparation, until he was baptized by St. Ananias. To reflect his conversion and to better preach to the Gentiles, Saul adopted fully his Roman name Paul. His martyrdom, on the same day as St. Peter, is celebrated on June 29th.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for January 25th

THE conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, which happened the second year after the Ascension of our Lord.

At Damascus, the birthday of St. Ananias, who baptized that apostle. After he had preached the Gospel at Damascus, Eleutheropolis, and elsewhere, he was scourged under the judge Licinius, had his flesh torn, and lastly being overwhelmed with stones, ended his martyrdom.

At Antioch, in the time of Julian the Apostate, the holy martyrs Juventinus and Maximus, who were crowned with martyrdom. On their birthday, St. John Chrysostom preached a sermon to his people.

At Clermont, in Auvergne, the Saints Projectus, bishop, and Marinus, a man of God, who were murdered by the leading men of that city.

Also, the holy martyrs Donatus, Sabinus, and Agape.

At Tomis, in Scythia, St. Bretannion, bishop, who by his great sanctity, and his zeal for the Catholic faith, shone in the Church, under the Arian emperor Valens, whom he opposed with fortitude.

At Arras, in France, St. Poppo, abbot, renowned for miracles.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.