Conversion of St. Paul
Feast Day: January 25
If you had to pick the person least likely to become a Christian leader, Saul of Tarsus would have been a strong choice.
He did not just reject Christians.
He hunted them.
He dragged them out of their homes and threw them in prison.
Then, on the road to Damascus, Jesus knocked him off his feet.
St. Paul, pray for us.
Saul the Persecutor
Saul was a devout Jew, a Pharisee, highly educated, and a Roman citizen from Tarsus.
He believed the followers of Jesus were dangerous.
He stood by approving when St. Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7:58).
Then he set out for Damascus with letters authorizing him to arrest any Christians he found.
The Road to Damascus
“And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him.”
— Acts 9:3
“And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
— Acts 9:4
“Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”
— Acts 9:5
Notice what Jesus said.
Not “Why are you persecuting My followers?”
“Why persecutest thou me?”
Jesus is so united to His Church that whatever is done to it is done to Him.
Blind for Three Days
Saul got up, but he could not see.
His companions led him by the hand into Damascus.
For three days, he did not eat or drink.
Then God sent a disciple named Ananias to him.
Ananias was understandably nervous.
But the Lord told him:
“Go thy way; for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.”
— Acts 9:15
Ananias laid his hands on Saul, something like scales fell from his eyes, and he was baptized.
Paul the Apostle
The man who had hunted Christians became the greatest missionary in history.
He traveled thousands of miles across the Roman world.
He founded churches.
He wrote letters that make up about half of the New Testament.
He was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and finally martyred in Rome.
And he wrote:
“For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain.”
— Philippians 1:21
Why Celebrate a Conversion?
Most saints are remembered on the day they died.
Paul is the only saint whose conversion has its own feast.
That is because his conversion shows something every Christian needs to know.
No one is beyond God’s grace.
If Jesus could turn Saul into Paul, He can change anyone.
The End of the Week of Prayer
January 25 also closes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs from January 18 to 25.
It is fitting.
Paul, who once tried to tear the Church apart, spent the rest of his life building it up and urging Christians to be one.
What St. Paul’s Conversion Teaches Us
Paul’s conversion teaches us never to give up on anyone, including ourselves.
It teaches us that conversion is not a one-time event, but the beginning of a whole new life.
And it reminds us that God can use even our past mistakes for His purposes.
When Is the Feast?
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle, on January 25.
Prayer for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul
Lord Jesus Christ,
You turned Saul the persecutor into Paul the Apostle.
Convert our hearts too.
Open our eyes to see You clearly,
and give us the courage to follow You and share You with others.
Bring back all who are far from You, and make Your Church one.
St. Paul, pray for us. Amen.
