Name: St Paul the Apostle

Lived: 5 – 67

Country: Born in Tarsus

Patron Saint of: Missions; Theologians; Gentile Christians; Shipwrecks, Evangelists; Writers; Journalists; Authors; Public Workers; Rope and Saddle Makers; Tent Makers

Feast Day: June 29

Bio: Saint Paul is one of the most important and influential of all the saints. Many of his writings are found in the New Testament and have influenced the growth and development of the Church since the first century.

St Paul was originally known as Saul. He was a Roman citizen and a Pharisee who oversaw the persecution of the early Christians. While travelling on the road to Damascus, Saul experienced a most powerful vision that was so bright that he lost his vision!

After his vision, Saul had been truly shown the path to a better way and was soon baptised as a Christian after this experience. As part of his conversion, Saul took the name Paul. Paul began to travel the world and ventured out, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. He visited St Peter, the first Pope to pay homage to him.

During his four journey’s Paul would preach and encourage those who wanted to convert from Judaism to Christianity. Many of his letters found in the Acts of the Apostles, outline how to live as a community of Christian believers.

Paul was called by Barnabus to come to Antioch. After Paul spent a year in Antioch, a great famine hit Jerusalem and Paul and Barnabus returned to offer alms. The pair went on missions together to Cypress and throughout Asia Minor. During this time, they established many churches and remained in communication with the communities, supporting them and encouraging them to live as Christians.

Paul was preparing for a journey to Spain when he was imprisoned in Caesarea by the Jews for 2 Years. After this, he travelled again and was shipwrecked in Malta, and was imprisoned for another 2 years for preaching in Rome. Despite these imprisonments, Paul continued to preach!

 Quote: ‘So, then, let us purse the things making for peace and the things that are uplifting to one another.’ #peace #StPaul