Sts. Peter & Paul Parish

The Life Story of St. Paul

Paul's life can be divided into two almost equal parts: for thirty years he was a Pharisee,
and then for thirty years, as a Christian, he was a missionary who founded communities throughout
the Mediterranean basin and wrote to his Christians.

Originally named Saul, St. Paul was born in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia in Asia Minor.
As a Jew, a Pharisee, he studied in Jerusalem under one of the greatest rabbis of the time, Gamaliel.
He was back in Tarsus during the time of Jesus' activity, of which he seems to have been unaware.
He was most likely a rabbi, and therefore was probably married.

Paul became a fierce persecutor of the Church. He hated Christians, and had the permission to
capture and imprison men and women who were followers of Jesus.

While traveling to Damascus, a light from heaven flashed around Paul and he fell to the ground.
He heard Jesus' voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
And Saul said, "Who are you, Lord?"
And Jesus said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but rise and enter the city, and it shall be told what you must do."

The men who were with Saul were speechless, and they helped him up from the ground, and led him
into Damascus, because he had been blinded by the light.
In Damascus, a disciple of Jesus named Ananias, had a vision where Jesus told him to lay his hands on Saul
so that he would regain his sight.
Ananias did so and Saul regained his sight, arose and was baptized.
Saul changed his name to Paul, and spent the rest of his life traveling, preaching about Jesus,
and converting whole cities at a time.

He went to Jerusalem to see Peter and to pay homage to the head of the Church.
During his three missionary journeys, Paul was often stoned, beaten and imprisoned.

Many miracles are attributed to St. Paul, including when he struck an evil magician blind for diverting people from Jesus.
The last people Paul converted were members of Nero's household, so Nero had him thrown into prison.
Since Paul was a Roman citizen, he could not be crucified, so he was beheaded outside the walls of Rome in the year 67.
Three fountains of water miraculously sprang from the ground where his head fell.

St. Paul's untiring interest in, and paternal affection for the churches established by him have given
us fourteen canonical Epistles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
In his Epistles, St. Paul shows himself to be a profound religious thinker with greatness of mind and spirit.

Previous Page:     Home Page:     Next Page: