The Year of St. Paul
The Year of St. Paul has arrived! Pope Benedict XVI announced that the Church would observe a celebration in honor of St. Paul the Apostle, from June 28, 2008, to June 29, 2009.
Why a Year of St. Paul? Periodically, the Church sets aside an entire year to encourage all of us to focus on some particular and important aspect of our Faith. This year, we are given an opportunity to honor one of the great saints and founders of the early Church — the Apostle Paul.
Saints' days are usually associated with their deaths. Paul's is the only feast in the Church calendar commemorating a saint's conversion.
Why is this particular conversion so important to the Church?
The Book of Acts tells how Jesus apprehended Paul on the road to Damascus and shows just how critical that event was to the Church's beginnings. This tireless convert, once a Church opponent, became what some call "the second founder of Christianity," after Christ himself.
This Year of St. Paul will be marked by countless commemorative, cultural, liturgical, and scholarly events in Rome and throughout the world. Vatican officials are urging Catholics to study St. Paul in Scripture so we can revitalize our faith in the light of his teachings and life.
How should you celebrate?
- Read St. Paul's writings, read a letter from St. Paul in the Bible
- Make a mini-pilgrimage
- Visit churches dedicated to St. Paul - In the Diocese of Cleveland you can visit:
- The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (as our diocesan cathedral)
- St. Paul, 1231 Chardon Road, Euclid
- St. Paul (Croation), 1369 East 40th Street, Cleveland
- Conversion of St. Paul (St. Paul Shrine), 4120 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
- St. Paul, 433 Mission Drive, Akron
- Ss. Peter and Paul, 161 West Clinton Street, Doylestown
- Ss. Peter and Paul, 4750 Turney Road, Garfield Heights
- Visit www.masstimes.org for other churches in the United States dedicated to St. Paul
- The Christian faithful who visit any of these churches, having been reconciled through sacramental Confession, restored by Eucharistic Communion, and reciting the “Our Father” and the Creed, adding prayers in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Paul and uniting themselves with the intentions of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and remembering Saint Peter the Prince of Apostles, may receive the plenary indulgence for themselves and/or for the beloved dead no more than once per day throughout this Holy Year. Those prevented by illness from making such a pilgrimage, may obtain this indulgence if they spiritually join in any Jubilee celebration in honor of Saint Paul offering their prayers and sufferings to God for Christian unity.
- Visit churches dedicated to St. Paul - In the Diocese of Cleveland you can visit:
- Pray
- Prayer to St. Paul:
A Prayer to Apostle Paul
Glorious St. Paul,
Most zealous Apostle,
Martyr for the love of Christ,
Give us a deap faith,
A steadfast hope,
A burning love for our Lord;
So that we can proclaim with you,
"It is no longer I who live, but Christ
who lives in me."
Help us to become apostles
serving the Church with a pure heart,
witnesses to her truth and beauty
amidst the darkness of our days.
With you we praise God, our Father:
"To Him be the Glory, in the Church and in
Christ, now and forever."
Amen.
- Spread the Gospel by volunteering, taking a Bible study, or donating to a missionary order
- Learn more about St. Paul, and deepen your faith through his example. Get started now!
- St. Angela Presents: In Pursuit of Paul, an adult faith Formation Series
- Other Links for more information on St. Paul:
- Our Sunday Visitor
- See what you already know, try this game
- Kids Page - from St. James Cathedral, Seattle, Washington