The Conversion of St. Paul

January 25th marks the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. The earliest martyrdom in the Church, following Christ’s death, took place with Paul’s consenting to St. Stephen being stoned to death (Acts 8:1). Paul, known previously as Saul, was a young man of the highest Jewish lineage. A highly respected and devout Pharisee, he believed confidently in the Law of his era; the Law of Moses, and was vehemently opposed to Jesus’ teachings.

Saul was en route to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus, when he was struck blind by flashes of light and a voice spoke to him saying: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?…I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:4,5) Following 3 days of blindness, with no food or water, his sight was restored by Ananias, a disciple of Christ, and in time, Saul became Paul, a zealous proclaimer of Jesus the Christ.

Feast of St. John Bosco

St. John Bosco (1815 - 1888) was educated in Turin, Italy, largely by his mother who was widowed when John was merely two years of age. Against the odds, this poor farm boy was ordained at 26 and became devoted to the people of Turin, especially the young, orphaned, homeless and poor children, who would otherwise be lost in the cracks, likely winding up in prison. With the help of his mother, John Bosco (Don Bosco) cared for boys, starting from nothing. He befriended them, educated them, housed them and trained them to become productive members of society. By the year 1860, Don and his mother lodged 800 boys, and had established the Salesians; the Society of St. Francis de Sales, and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

St. Bosco’s approach to caring for the whole child involved educational training programs, and hands on teaching, leading to the establishment of a printing press in 1861-62. This evolved into a major vocational training centre for young people that still exists today. St. John Bosco's Feast Day is January 31st.