Celebrating the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, observed on January 25th, commemorates one of the most extraordinary transformations in Christian history. Saul of Tarsus, once a relentless persecutor of the early Church, became St. Paul, a passionate defender of the faith, a tireless missionary, and one of Christianity’s most influential theologians. His story offers a striking testimony to the power of divine grace and the profound truth that no one is beyond the reach of redemption.

Walking Through the Story: Saul’s Conversion

The story of Saul begins even earlier in Acts, during the martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian to die for his faith. In Acts 7:58, we learn that Saul was present, and the witnesses who stoned Stephen placed their cloaks at Saul’s feet, a gesture that signified both his approval and authority. While Stephen prayed for his executioners with his final breath, Saul remained resolute in his opposition to the followers of Jesus, growing ever more determined to stamp out the Christian movement.

Then, one day on the road to Damascus, everything changed. As Saul was traveling, a radiant light from heaven suddenly enveloped him, and he fell to the ground, hearing a voice call out:

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4)

When Saul asked who was speaking, he received the reply:

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9:5–6)

Struck blind by this divine encounter, Saul was led by the hand into Damascus. For three days, he neither ate nor drank, but remained in prayer.

During this time, the Lord spoke to a disciple named Ananias, instructing him to visit Saul. Understandably, Ananias hesitated; Saul’s reputation for persecuting believers had spread far and wide. But Ananias obeyed. When he laid hands on Saul, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. His sight was restored, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he was baptized.

From that moment forward, Saul was transformed into Paul, one of the Church’s greatest evangelists. He went on to establish Christian communities across Asia Minor and Europe, wrote thirteen of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and became a foundational figure in the proclamation of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

The Significance of St. Paul’s Conversion

The story of St. Paul’s conversion stands as a profound witness to God’s transformative power. It reminds us that no one is too far gone for grace. Saul, once a fearsome adversary of the Church, became a devoted instrument of God’s mission, bringing the message of salvation to the ends of the earth. His journey offers hope to anyone who feels unworthy of God’s love or unsure of their capacity to serve Him.

Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus also speaks to the deeply personal nature of faith. Jesus did not merely rebuke Saul’s actions; He identified personally with the suffering of His followers: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” This reveals the intimate connection between Christ and His Church, and it invites us to consider how we relate both to Jesus and to one another as members of His body.

In addition, the writings of St. Paul continue to shape Christian thought in profound ways. From his rich reflections on grace and justification in Romans to his poetic meditation on love in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul’s epistles remain central to the Church’s life, worship, and theology.

Ways to Celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

In the book of Acts (9:1–22), we find the powerful account of Saul’s journey to Damascus. Saul was a devout Jew, deeply committed to his religious tradition, but his zeal led him to persecute the early followers of Jesus. He sought to arrest and imprison all who followed “the Way,” the earliest name for the Christian faith.

You might observe this feast day in a few intentional ways:

Read and Reflect on Acts 9:1–22

Gather as a family or spend time in quiet meditation, reading the story of Saul’s conversion. Reflect on the themes of divine grace, personal transformation, and faithful obedience. Consider how God might be calling each of you to serve Him in your own unique ways.

Add the Collect to Your Daily Prayers

You can incorporate this beautiful prayer into your devotional time as a way to honor St. Paul and ask for the strength to follow his example:

O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Celebrate with a Sweet Reminder of God’s Grace

Try a fun and meaningful family activity that brings this story to life. Bake cookies, and give each child two cookies to hold over their eyes while you read the conversion story aloud. When you reach the moment where the scales fall from Saul’s eyes, have them take the cookies away and enjoy them as a tangible (and tasty!) reminder of the sweetness of God’s grace in their lives.

the recipe -

Oatmeal Cookies for the Conversion of Paul .pdf

Download PDF • 69KB

Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

• Sugar for coating cookies

  
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg through cinnamon and mix well. Add flour and oats and mix well. Form dough into 2-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Important Last Step! Flatten each ball with the bottom of a small glass that has been buttered and dipped into sugar. Bake for 10-12 minutes.