Crossed The Tiber

An Evangelical Converts to Catholicism

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Location: Pennsylvania, United States

I was born into the Catholic faith. At 14, I was "born again" and found Jesus personally but lost His Church. After thirty years as an evangelical protestant, I have come full circle to find that He has been there all the time, in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I wish others to find the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith as I have found.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Year Of St. Paul


This Thursday Pope Benedict the 16th will proclaim the Year of St. Paul on the evening of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. This year will mark the 2000th year of the birth of St. Paul thought to be born between 6 and 8 AD.

Pope Benedict XVI will preside at the celebration of first Vespers in the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls. This is the location that archaeologists confirmed last December was the resting place of St. Paul.(See image above)

During the ceremony, the Pope will proclaim a year especially dedicated to St. Paul, to mark the 2000th anniversary of the birth of the "Apostle of the Gentiles."

His ministry here still continues through the prayers and intercessions he makes for us before the throne of God. Can you imagine St. Paul not praying for conversions? I am sure if he is within earshot of the angels that rejoice when one converts , he no doubt shouts a hearty "Praise God! along with them.

This may be an excellent time to start a Novena to St. Paul. There's one below if you are so inclined. A Novena is a prayer said for a particular intention over a 9 day period, based on the 9 days the apostles tarried and prayed in Jerusalem as instructed by our Lord. Not an incantation, or superstition. Just fervent faith-filled intercession through the communion we have with all believers, here and beyond.


Novena to St. Paul the Apostle

Entrust your special intentions to St. Paul
and offer the following prayer,
concluding with an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.

O St. Paul the Apostle, preacher of truth and Doctor of the Gentiles, intercede for us to God, who chose you.

You are a vessel of election, O St. Paul the Apostle.
Preacher of truth to the whole world.

O God, you have instructed many nations through the preaching of the blessed apostle Paul. Let the power of his intercession with you help us who venerate his memory this day.



3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

St. Paul is the patron of my parish. May we use the year ahead to do much good work for the kingdom of Our Lord.

June 26, 2007 12:42 PM  
Blogger Joyful Catholic said...

How exciting! Of course, St Paul's outside-the-Walls was the first holy site scheduled on our pilgrimage, the one we missed due to flight cancellation in Omaha. How I'd have loved to walk there...maybe someday. I love novenas...but I must confess, I'm a poor example of a good pray-er of them. I miss days here and there...but the heart's intent is always good. What is it about a novena that makes that happen? Is it a "spirit is willing the flesh is weak" thing? Same thing happens to my husband. He commits to a novena and the next thing he knows a day or two's gone by...

susie

June 27, 2007 8:15 AM  
Blogger Russ Rentler, M.D. said...

Human nature I suppose, not to mention that we are probably not used to this method of intercession. I agree, sometimes I am reluctant to start one because of fear of failure, but God's grace and mercy are always here for us.
Even the disciples couldn't get through their first night of a "novena" when Jesus commanded them to stay awake and pray!

June 27, 2007 8:59 AM  

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