St Paul the Apostle was born in 5 AD in Tarsus, Cilicia, Roman Empire (modern-day Turkey).
He worked in the Roman Empire and died in 67 AD in Rome.
St Paul is the Patron Saint of Missions, Theologians, and Gentile Christians.
His feast day is on 25 January every year.
| St Paul the Apostle | |
|---|---|
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| Date of Birth | 1st Century AD |
| Place of Birth | Turkey in Europe |
| Profession | Apostle of the Gentiles |
| Place of Work | Roman Empire |
| Date of Death | 67 AD (aged 61–62) |
| Place of Death | Rome, Roman Empire |
| Feast Day | January 25 |
| Canonization | Pre-Congregation |
| Patron Saint of |
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St Paul the Apostle Life History
St Paul also known as Saul of Tarsus was born in 5 AD in Tarsus, Cilicia, Roman Empire (modern-day Turkey).
He was from a devout Jewish family based in the city of Tarsus. He grew up in Jerusalem and was raised by Gamaliel.
Additionally, he studied Greek philosophers and was well acquainted with the Stoic philosophers.
In the long history of the Church, no conversion has been more consequential than St. Paul’s. Paul had not been ambivalent towards the Church before he converted it.
He had actively persecuted it, even throwing rocks at the head of St. Stephen, in all likelihood. But he changed, or God changed him, on one particular night.
And on that night Christianity changed too. And when the course of Christianity changed, the world changed. It is difficult to overemphasize the impact of today’s feast.
One way to think about the significance of an event, whether big or small, is to consider what things would be like if the event had never occurred.
This is the premise behind the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” You compare actual life with a hypothetical “what if” alternative scenario.
What if St. Paul had remained a zealous jew? What if he had never converted? Never wrote one letter? Never travelled the seas on missionary voyages?
It can safely be assumed that the world itself, not just the Church, would look different than it does today. Perhaps Christianity would have remained confined to Palestine for many more centuries before breaking out into wider Europe.
Maybe Christianity would have taken a right turn instead of a left, and all of China and India would be as culturally Catholic as Europe is today.
It’s impossible to say. However, the global scale of the effects of Paul’s conversion speaks to the significance of his conversion.
The details of Paul’s conversion are well known. He was thrown from his horse on the road to Damascus (except that Acts makes no mention of a horse). Maybe he just fell while walking.
While stunned on the ground Paul heard the voice of Jesus: “Why are you persecuting me?” Jesus and the Church are one.
To persecute the Church is to persecute Christ. Jesus is the head and the Church is his body. Paul did not convert to loving Jesus and say that the Church was just an accidental human construct that blocked him from the Lord.
No, of course not. He believed what right-minded Catholics have believed for centuries and still believe today. To love Jesus is to love the Church and vice versa.
It is impossible to love the Lord while disregarding the historical reality of how the Lord is communicated to us. The Church is not just a vehicle to carry God’s revelation. The Church is part of God’s revelation.
Paul’s conversion teaches us that when Jesus comes to us, he doesn’t come alone. He comes with his angels, saints, priests, and bishops.
He comes with Mary, the sacraments, doctrine, and devotions. He comes with the Church because he and the Church are one. And when we go to the Lord we don’t go alone either.
We go as members of a Church that has received a tradition to meet Jesus who gave it to us. Thus St. Paul heard from God himself, and thus we believe today.
After the conversion of St Paul, he began his ministry of preaching the work in and around the area of the Mediterranean.
During this journey of Christianity, he wrote letters which became books of the Bible in several areas. He later died in 67 AD in the Roman Empire.
St Paul the Apostle’s Birth
He was born in the year 5 AD in Tarsus, Cilicia, Roman Empire (modern-day Turkey).
St Paul the Apostle’s Death
St Paul Died in 67 AD in Rome, Italy, Roman Empire.
Veneration
His veneration was done by all Christian denominations that venerated the Saints.
Canonization
He was canonized Pre-congregation.
St Paul the Apostle Feast Day
The feast Day of the conversion of St Paul the Apostle is on January 25.
Attributes
St Paul is represented in art with a Christian martyrdom, a sword, and a book.
St Paul the Apostle is the Patron Saint of
He is the Patron Saint of missions, theologians, and gentile Christians.
St Paul the Apostle’s Major works
He was the author of the following books;
- The Book of Romans
- The Book of 1 Corinthians
- The Book of 2 Corinthians
- The Book of Galatians
- The Book of Ephesians
- The Book of Philippians
- The Book of Colossians
- The Book of 1 Thessalonians
- The Book of 2 Thessalonians
- The Book of 1 Timothy
- The Book of 2 Timothy
- The Book of Titus
- The Book of Philemon
Today’s St Paul’s Quote
St. Paul, we ask your openness to conversion when we hear the Lord speak to us as he spoke to you.
Assist us in responding with great faith to every invitation we receive to love the Lord more fully, to know him more deeply, and to spread his word more broadly to those who need it.
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