St. Paul, named Saul at his circumcision, a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, was born at Tarsus, the capitol of Cilicia. He was a Roman citizen. He was brought up as a strict Jew, and later became a violent persecutor of the Christians (which is well-documented in chapter 9 of the Acts of the Apostles). While on his way to Damascus to make new arrests of Christians, he was suddenly converted by a miraculous apparition of the Lord. From a fierce persecutor, he became the great Apostle of the Gentiles. He made three missionary journeys which brought him to the great centers of Asia Minor and southern Europe, and made many converts. Fourteen of his Letters are found in the New Testament. He was beheaded in Rome around 66 A.D.
Let us pray. “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. We ask your intercession through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
For much more on the Conversion of St. Paul: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/saints/saints-stories-for-all-ages/the-conversion-of-saint-paul-the-apostle/
