Paul, the great Apostle, named Saul before his conversion, was born at Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia. He was a privileged Roman citizen and was raised in the strict observance of the Mosaic law. Saul lived up to it in the most scrupulous manner.

In his zeal for the Jewish law, he became a violent persecutor of the Christians. He was one of those who gathered to murder Saint Stephen. In the violent persecution of the faithful, which followed the martyrdom of the holy deacon, Saul signalized himself above others. By virtue of the power he had received from the high priest, he dragged the Christians out of their houses, loaded them with chains and thrust them into prison.

In his zeal, Soul applied for a commission to take up all Jews at Damascus who confessed Jesus Christ and bring them bound to Jerusalem. But God was pleased to show forth in him His patience and mercy. While on his way to Damascus, Soul was stricken by a light from heaven, and hurled to the ground. He heard a voice asking him “Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?” And Saul answered, “Who art thou, Lord?” and the voice replied, “I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute.”

This mild expostulation of our Redeemer, accompanied with a powerful interior grace, cured Saul’s pride, assuaged his rage, and wrought at once a total change in him. Wherefore, trembling and astonished, he cried out, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” Our Lord ordered him to arise and to proceed on his way to the city, where he should be informed of what was expected from him.

Saul lost his vision and was led by hand to Damascus, where he was lodged in the house of a Jew named Judas. A holy man named Ananias came to this house by divine appointment, who, laying his hands on Saul, said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to thee on thy journey, hath sent me that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he recovered his eyesight. Then he arose and was baptized; he stayed some few days with the disciples at Damascus and began immediately to preach in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. Thus, a blasphemer and a persecutor was made an apostle, and chosen as one of God’s principal instruments in the conversion of the world.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Agape the Martyr
2. Saint Amarinus of Clermont
3. Saint Bretannion of Tomi
4. Saint Henry Suso
5. Saint Joel of Pulsano

-catholicsains.info