We are amid the Year of St. Paul. This year long celebration in honor of St. Paul the Apostle was announced by Pope Benedict XVI last summer. The Year of St. Paul began on June 28, 2008 and will be observed by the church until June 29, 2009.
Why dedicate a year of celebration to St. Paul?
I can best answer this by quoting Pope Benedict XVI:
“Dear brothers and sisters, as in early times, today too Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs like St Paul. Paul, a former violent persecutor of Christians, when he fell to the ground dazzled by the divine light on the road to Damascus, did not hesitate to change sides to the Crucified One and followed him without second thoughts. He lived and worked for Christ, for him he suffered and died. How timely his example is today!
“And for this very reason I am pleased to announce officially that we shall be dedicating a special Jubilee Year to the Apostle Paul from 28 June 2008 to 29 June 2009, on the occasion of the bi-millennium of his birth, which historians have placed between the years 7 and 10 A.D.”
~ Pope Benedict XVI, June 28, 2007
Homily for First Vespers of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
St. Paul is one of the founders of the early Church and his feast day is June 29.
A variety of cultural, liturgical and scholarly events will take place in Rome, as well as throughout the world, to celebrate this Year of St. Paul. Catholics are encouraged to rejuvenate our own faith by studying St. Paul in Sacred Scripture to learn more about his life and his teachings during this celebratory year.
Ways to Celebrate the Year of St. Paul
- Read St. Paul’s Epistles – Romans, Corinthians 1 and 2, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians 1 and 2, Timothy 1 and 2, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews
- Read books and other materials on St. Paul the Apostle
- Join or start a Bible Study based on St. Paul’s Epistles
- Visit Churches dedicated to St. Paul
- Deepen your own faith by learning about St. Paul's life and teachings
- Pray
- Spread the Gospel – For example through volunteering or donating to a missionary order
Peace in Christ,
Melissa Knoblett-Aman
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