In the Footsteps of St. Paul June 2008

By Woodeene Koenig-Bricker

Every so often, the Church sets aside an entire year to focus on some particular and important aspect of the faith. In order to commemorate the 2000th anniversary of St. Paul’s birth Christians all over the world are invited to celebrate “The Year of St. Paul” from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009.

As Pope Benedict says, “Like St Paul, we embark on a missionary journey, on the road to understanding the Word of God, the road to encountering our brothers and sisters, the road to Christ, the road of the Gospel.” Even if we cannot make a physical pilgrimage to Rome and the tomb of the apostle, we can celebrate this special year in our own homes and with our families. Here are a few ideas:

* Read the Epistles

Paul’s writings make up fully one-third of the New Testament. They are: Romans, First Corinthians, Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First Thessalonians, Second Thessalonians, First Timothy, Second Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. This year, read at least some of these epistles. Remember, they were written to be read aloud to a community, so reading them as a family, at dinner time or bedtime is the most fitting way of fully appreciating their message.

* Make a Mini-Pilgrimage

A plenary indulgence is available for those who make a pilgrimage to Rome. If a journey Rome isn’t possible, find a church in your area named after St. Paul and plan to attend Mass there one Sunday this year. For a list of parishes and Mass times in your area, go to www.masstimes.org.

* Spread the Good News

St. Paul’s abiding mission in life was to take the good news of Christ to all the known world of the time. Some ways you can help spread the gospel and emulate St. Paul this year include:

Accompanying someone on their journey of faith through the RCIA program
Volunteering to help with religious education classes
Donating to your favorite missionary order
Sponsoring a priest from your diocese to work in the mission field
Giving someone a copy of the bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church

* Watch DVDs about Paul’s missionary travels

Many documentaries have been made about the life and travels of St. Paul. Some you might enjoy: Great People of the Bible: the Apostle Paul, St. Paul in Greece, Paul: Contending for the Faith, Apostle Paul and the Earliest Christian Churches and Empires: Peter and Paul.

* Memorize and pray some of St. Paul’s famous lines

The writings of St. Paul contain many of the most familiar and beautiful passages of the New Testament. Memorize at least one and use as a daily prayer. The beloved lines from 1 Corinthians 13: 4-6 are one favorite:

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

* Reach out to other Christians

One of the goals of the Year of St. Paul is to have encounters and conversations with fellow Christians. Invite a non-Catholic friend to attend Mass with you this year.

* Pray

St. Paul said to the residents of the“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:6-7

Email the author at woodeene@comcast.net.