Saint Paul was born in Tarsus, in what is now Turkey, about the year 8.
He was from a Jewish family and received a good education. He was
able to speak and write in many languages at a time when most people
could not read. At first, he persecuted those who believed in
Jesus. But then, on a journey, the risen Jesus appeared to him,
and Paul was converted. (Read
the story!) He became an Apostle, sent to preach the
good news. He traveled thousands of miles, teaching people of many
different cultures about Jesus.
Paul was also
a writer. He sent letters to the churches where he had taught
about Jesus, encouraging the people to remain in the faith, reminding
them of what he had taught them, and sometimes correcting their mistakes
and pointing out the ways they had wandered from the truth about Jesus.
These letters, which he sent to places like Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus
became part of the New Testament. They are full of teaching about
the faith and good advice about how to live in peace with other people.
That means that they are very important for us to hear today! The
letters of Paul are read almost every Sunday at Mass, and in this way
Paul still teaches the Church how to live in unity.
Saint Paul
lived at a time when it was dangerous to be a Christian. He
suffered for his faith and eventually he was killed for preaching the
Gospel. He died in Rome, and a great Basilica was built over his
tomb. It is called Saint Paul Outside the Walls because it is
outside the walls of the city of Rome. During this Year of St.
Paul, millions of people will visit there to pray to Paul.
Click
here to see pictures of the Basilica of St. Paul.