The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle Feast Day – January 25

Today is Thursday, March 23, 2023

Saint Paul The Apostle Biography

Saint Paul the Apostle was born in 5AD in Tarsus, Cilicia, Roman Empire(modern-day Turkey). He worked in Roman Empire and died in 67 AD in Rome. He was beatified and canonized by pre-congregation. Paul was the is the Patron Saint of Missions, Theologians, and Gentile Christians. His feast day is on 25 January.

The Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle brief life History

Date of Birth 1st Century AD
Country 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
Beatification By Pre-Congregation
Canonization By Pre-Congregation
Patron Saint of Missions; Theologians; Gentile Christians

Saint Paul the Apostle life History

Saint Paul also known as Saul of Tarsus was born in 5AD 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 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 traveled 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. But 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 around the area of Mediterrenian. During this journey of Christianity, he wrote letter which become books of the bible to several areas. He later died in 67 AD in Roman Empire.

Saint Paul the Apostle’s birth

He was born in  the year 5 AD in Tarsus, Cilicia, Roman Empire(modern-day Turkey). 

Saint Paul the Apostle’s death

St Paul Died in 67 AD in Rome, Italy, Romen Empire.

Veneration 

His veneration was done by all Christian denomination that venerated the  Saints.

Canonization 

He was canonized by the Pre-congregation.

Feast Day

The feast Day is on 25th of January for the connvertion of St Paul.

Attributes

St Paul is represented by a Christioan martyrdom , sword, and a book.

Patronage Saint of

He is the Patronage Saint of  missions, theologians, and gentile Christians.

Major  works

He was the author  of the following books;

  1. The Book Of Romans
  2. The Book Of 1 Corinthians 
  3. The Book Of 2 Corinthians 
  4. The Book Of Galatians 
  5. The Book Of Ephesians 
  6. The Book Of Philippians 
  7. The Book Of Colossians 
  8. The Book Of 1 Thessalonians 
  9. The Book Of 2 Thessalonians 
  10. The Book Of 1 Timothy 
  11. The Book Of 2 Timothy 
  12. The Book Of Titus 
  13. 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.

The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle (Caravaggio) Feast Day
The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle Feast Day


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