Jan 25 2019 - Conversion of St. Paul - Famous Catholic Converts

 The Calendar of Saints is filled with saints converts: early converts from Judaism, like the apostles, st. mary magdalene or modern day st. edith stein, converts from roman paganism like st. Catherine of Alexandria and our own St. Ignatius of Antioch, converts from strange cults like St. Augustine, converts from African tribal religions like St. Charles Lwanga, converts from Protestantism like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and soon to be canonized Blessed John Henry Newman. An internet search can yield really interesting lists of famous Catholic converts like actors John Wayne and Sir Alec Guinness, poets Oscar Wilde and Gerard Manley Hopkins, politicians, social activists, soldiers and scientists, artists and musicians, devil worshipers and Atheist Marxists.

So deeply convinced that Christianity was an unholy corruption of his Jewish faith, that in the name of God Paul was putting Christians to death. And today’s feast, the conversion of St. Paul, is so powerful. It is a reminder that God can bring about the conversion of hearts deeply hardened against Christ. If God can bring about the conversion of someone who was murdering Christians, he can bring about the conversion of the non-believers in our families, the corrupt politicians, the flakey Hollywood actors and actresses, the abortion activists, the fake news journalists, and the ordinary folk you see at the supermarket and doctor’s office.

Every convert and every great saint came to the truth through the witness of ordinary Christians like you and me--Christians faithful to the Gospel, willing to undergo persecution for the sake of the name, willing to broach the uncomfortable topic of religious with them and share the truth of the saving Word of God with them.

Pope Paul VI said that “the Church exists to evangelize”. That is our main purpose—to spread Christianity, as Our Lord commands in the Gospel for this feast, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”  May we, like the great Convert St. Paul, be God’s instruments today and always in praying and working for conversion, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That our bishops may be graced with Saint Paul’s zeal in preaching and teaching the Word of God. We pray to the Lord.

That our parish may build up missionary disciples who will go and proclaim the Gospel. We pray to the Lord.

For the conversion of all hardened sinners and all persecutors of the faith, that the Lord may touch their hearts and remove the blindness from their eyes. We pray to the Lord.

For all who have suffered as a result of violence or abuse, all of the sick and suffering, especially victims of natural disaster, poverty, and addiction, may they be comforted and supported by God’s healing love. We pray to the Lord.

For our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered. We pray to the Lord.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord