Feast day: January 25 (celebration of his conversion)     

St. Paul first appears in the Act of the Apostles under the name of Saul. He was brought up as a strict Jew and believed God's Law should be obeyed by himself and all Jews. He was upset by the early Christian Church as he believed that they early Christians had broken away from their Jewish traditions. Saul later became a persecutor of the Christians.

While on his way to Damascus to make new arrests of Christians, Saul encountered the Risen Jesus Christ (Acts of the Apostles 9:1-19, Galatians 1:13-14). Jesus asked, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He replied, "Who are you, sir?" Jesus responded, "I am Jesus who you are persecuting" (Acts 9:4-5). Jesus sent Saul into Damascus to wait for further instructions. Saul was shaken and blinded by the experience. A Christian named Ananias came and baptized Saul and his blindness went away. As a result, Saul was converted to the Christian faith and changed his name from Saul to Paul. He began traveling and preaching the faith, becoming known as the great Apostle of the Gentiles. Paul was martyred as an Apostle in Rome in the year 67.

Patron: authors, evangelists; journalists; lay people; missionary bishops; musicians; public relations personnel; against snakes

Symbols: book; sword; man holding a sword and a book; man with three springs of water nearby; thin-faced elderly man with a high forehead, receding hairline and a long-pointed beard

Other Memorials of St. Paul:

• February 16 (shipwreck)
• June 29 (celebration of St. Peter and St. Paul as co-founders of the Church)
• November 18 (feast of the dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul)

"Conversion of St. Paul" Connect the Dots
"Paul Believed in Jesus" Word Line Up
"Paul: The Road to Damascus" Crossword Puzzle
"The Road to Damascus" Maze
Saul's Conversion Lesson Plan by Emilie Ahern
The Converison of Saul Coloring Page
St. Paul Coloring Page
Catholic Saints Info
Catholic Culture Information and Activities on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle