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The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul


A painting of the Conversion of St. Paul
The Conversion of St. Paul by Caravaggio

The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, celebrated on January 25th, honors one of the most remarkable transformations in Christian history. Saul of Tarsus, once a fierce persecutor of the early Church, became St. Paul, one of its most ardent defenders, missionaries, and theologians. The story of his conversion is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of God and the incredible truth that no one is beyond redemption.


Walking Through the Story: Saul’s Conversion


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 faith, but his zeal led him to fiercely persecute Christians. He sought to arrest and imprison anyone who followed "the Way," the early name for the Christian faith.


Saul’s story begins even earlier in Acts, at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. In Acts 7:58, we learn that Saul was present, and the witnesses who stoned Stephen laid their cloaks at his feet. This act was a sign of Saul’s authority and approval of the execution. As Stephen prayed for his persecutors with his dying breath, Saul’s heart remained hardened against the followers of Jesus, and his determination to crush the Christian movement only grew.


One day, as Saul was traveling to Damascus, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly surrounded him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice:


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


When Saul asked who was speaking, the voice replied:


"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)


Blinded by this divine encounter, Saul was led into Damascus, where he fasted and prayed for three days.


Meanwhile, the Lord appeared to a disciple named Ananias and instructed him to visit Saul. Ananias was understandably hesitant—Saul’s reputation for persecuting Christians preceded him! Yet Ananias obeyed, and when he laid his hands on Saul, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. He regained his sight, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and was baptized.


From that moment, Saul became Paul, one of Christianity’s greatest evangelists. He founded churches throughout Asia Minor and Europe, wrote thirteen of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and became a central figure in the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles.


The Significance of St. Paul’s Conversion


The conversion of St. Paul is a profound example of God’s transformative power. It reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Saul, once a zealous persecutor, became an instrument of God’s mission to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. His story gives hope to all who feel unworthy of God’s love or unsure of their ability to serve Him.


Paul’s encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus also illustrates the deeply personal nature of faith. Jesus didn’t merely call out Saul’s actions—He made it clear that to persecute His followers was to persecute Him directly. This intimate connection between Christ and His Church has profound implications for how we see our relationship with Him and one another.


Additionally, St. Paul’s writings have shaped Christian theology in unparalleled ways. From his profound reflections on grace and faith in Romans to his poetic hymn on love in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul’s letters continue to guide and inspire the Church today.


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


1. Read and Reflect on Acts 9:1-22. Spend time as a family reading the account of Saul’s conversion in Acts. Reflect on the themes of grace, obedience, and transformation. Discuss how God might be calling each of you to serve Him in your unique ways.


2. Add the Collect to Your Daily Prayers. Incorporate this prayer into your devotions to honor St. Paul and ask for the grace to follow his example of faith:


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.


3. Celebrate with a Sweet Reminder of God’s Grace. Get creative with a family activity that brings the story of Saul’s conversion to life. Make cookies and give each child two cookies to hold in front of their eyes as you read the story aloud. When you get to the part where the scales fall from Saul’s eyes, have them remove the cookies the cookies and reflect on the sweetness of God’s grace in their lives as they eat the cookies! So fun!


Here’s one of our all time favorite cookie recipes:


the recipe -


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©2022 by Ashley Tumlin Wallace. 

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