The Conversion of St. Paul

January 25 is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.  St. Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus converted him from a persecutor of Christians to a fully committed follower of Jesus.

The mass readings for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul are

• First reading: Acts 22:3-16 – “I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
• Alternate first reading: Acts 9:1-22 – “Is not this the man who in Jerusalem ravaged those who call upon this name?”
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117 – “For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.”
• Gospel: Mark 16:15-18 – “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

Saint Paul: Persecutor to Apostle

Conversion is an ongoing, lifelong, daily experience. This video provides wonderful background material for a youth ministry discussion about discipleship, the epistles of St. Paul, or conversion.