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Home , Christian martyr, Paul the Apostle

St. Paul the OF THE MONTH

Age Level: All ages Recommended time: 10-15 minutes What you need: St. coloring page, markers and/or crayons

Activity A. Tell your students that this month, we are learning about St. Paul the Apostle, who is known for his dramatic conversion and his zeal in spreading the to the . B. Read aloud the biography of this month’s saint and have your students complete the coloring page while they listen. C. When you are finished, discuss as a group how the life of St. Paul can inspire us to share with others. What are some things that we can do to follow his saintly example?

Biography of St. Paul

Around the time was born, a Jewish became the worst enemy of . boy named was born in Tarsus. He hunted them down and dragged them Tarsus was a Roman city, and so Saul was out of their homes. He imprisoned them a Roman citizen. While he was still very and even had them killed. In fact, Saul young, his parents sent him to witnessed the of St. Stephen, the to be taught by the greatest rabbi of his first Christian . (A martyr is a person time. Saul was an excellent student. He who is killed for his .) He watched was respected for his great intellect and as those throwing stones at Stephen zeal for the Jewish faith and traditions. laid their cloaks at his feet. Because Saul His zeal, however, caused him to feel was a leader, it’s very likely that Saul had upset that some were following the ordered Stephen to be stoned. New Way, as was first called. One day Saul set out for the city of Thinking that he was serving God, Saul . Saul knew there were many

JANuARy new Christians there, and he planned Saul could not see for three days, and to arrest them and take them back to he didn’t eat or have anything to drink. A Jerusalem. The journey to Damascus took named Ananias was told by God in about two days by horseback. When Saul a to go to Saul, and Ananias obeyed: and his men were very near the city, they “[Saul] regained his sight. He got up and were suddenly surrounded by a light so was baptized, and when he had eaten, he bright that it knocked Saul to the ground. recovered his strength.” We can read the account of what From that time on, Saul went on to happened next in the book of Acts, 9:4-8: preach about . He decided to use his “He fell to the ground and heard Roman name, Paul, because it would be a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, more familiar to the non-Jews he would why are you persecuting Me?” be talking to. He met with Peter, our first He said, “Who are You, sir?” The , and some of the other , to reply came, “ Jesus, whom receive Peter’s blessing before he started you are persecuting. Now get up his ministry. Paul spent the rest of his and go into the city and you will life traveling and spreading the Gospel of be told what you must do.” The Jesus. He established churches and taught men who were traveling with other men to lead in his absence. Paul’s him stood speechless, for they letters (called ) to the churches that heard the voice but could see no he established make up more than one- one. Saul got up from the ground, fourth of the . He truly is but when he opened his eyes he the greatest missionary in history! could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.”

Connection to the Catechism ...The Lord’s missionary mandate is ultimately grounded in the eternal of the Most Holy : The Church on earth is by her nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, she has as her origin the mission of the Son and the . The ultimate purpose of mission is none other than to make men share in the communion between the Father and the Son in their Spirit of love. (CCC 850)

© INSTITUTE PRESS St. Paul the Apostle

SAINT OF THE MONTH

JANuARy St. Paul the apostle