The Conversion of St. Paul, commemorated on January 25, marks the dramatic transformation of Saul of Tarsus, a zealous persecutor of Christians, into the Apostle Paul. On his journey to Damascus to arrest Christians, Saul was struck blind by a divine light and heard the voice of Jesus asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” After three days of blindness and prayer, he was baptized by Ananias, regaining his sight and embracing Christianity. This event signifies the power of God’s grace to change even the hardest of hearts. St. Paul went on to become one of Christianity’s most influential missionaries and writers.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has decreed that this is a Holy Feast Day to be observed in Canada.