Ordinary Time: January 25th

MASS READINGS

January 25, 2025 (Readings on USCCB website)

PROPERS [Show]

Mass Propers for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle:

Entrance Antiphon, 2 Tm 1:12; 4:8: I know the one in whom I have believed and I am sure that he, the just judge, the mighty, will keep safe what is my due until that day.

Alleluia Verse, Cf. Jn 15:16: I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

Preface I of the Apostles: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

For you, eternal Shepherd, do not desert your flock but through the blessed Apostles watch over it and protect it always, so that it may be governed by those you have appointed shepherds to lead it in the name of your Son.

And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim:

Communion Antiphon, Cf. Gal 2:20: I live by faith in the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself up for me.

COLLECT PRAYER

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul: O God, who taught the whole world through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul, draw us, we pray, nearer to you through the example of him whose conversion we celebrate today, and so make us witnesses to your truth in the world. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

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Recipes (8)

• Almond Horseshoe Cakes
• Apostle Cookies
• Crown Cake
• Genoise Book Cake
• Hobby Horse Cake
• Horseshoe Cookies
• Insalata Di Tarocci (Blood Orange and Red Onion Salad)
• St. Martin's Horseshoes

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Activities (8)

• Apostle Cookies
• Nameday Prayers and Ideas for St. Paul the Apostle
• Religion in the Home for Elementary School: January
• Religion in the Home for Preschool: January
• St. Paul and the Epistle Charades
• St. Paul's Day, St. Paul's Cathedral, London
• St. Paul's Family Tree
• The Veneration of Saints

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Prayers (7)

• Litany of Saint Paul the Apostle
• Novena for Church Unity
• Novena for Purification
• Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
• Prayer to Saint Paul the Apostle
• A Prayer to Saint Paul for the Printing of Good Books
• The Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

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Library (8)

• St Paul (2): Life of Saint Paul before and after Damascus | Pope Benedict XVI
• St Paul (5): Paul, the Twelve and the pre-Pauline Church | Pope Benedict XVI
• St Paul and the Church (4) | Pope Benedict XVI
• St. Paul Apostle to the Gentiles | Unknown
• St. Paul's New Outlook (2) | Pope Benedict XVI
• The Keys of Forgiveness: The Loving Power of the Successor of Peter | Sandro Magister
• The Life of St. Paul | Salvatore J. Ciresi
• Ut Unum Sint (That They May Be One) | Pope Saint John Paul II

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Blog & Podcasts (1)

• Feastday Highlights: Conversion of St. Paul, January 25

» Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books!

The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul celebrates St. Paul turning away from persecution of Christians to promoting Christianity. St. Paul, named Saul at his circumcision, a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, was born at Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia. He was a Roman citizen. He was brought up as a strict Jew, and later became a violent persecutor of the Christians. While on his way to Damascus to make new arrests of Christians, he was suddenly converted by a miraculous apparition of Our Lord. From a fierce persecutor he became the great Apostle of the Gentiles. He made three missionary journeys which brought him to the great centers of Asia Minor and southern Europe, and made many converts. Fourteen of his Epistles are found in the New Testament. He was beheaded in Rome around 66 A.D., and his relics are in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls near the Ostian Way.

Today concludes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25. The theme for 2024 is: "You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself." —Luke 10:27

St. Evaristus
The episcopate of Evaristus began in the third year of Emperor Trajan's reign. Sources refer to him as a Greek from Antioch, the son of a Jew named Juda from Bethlehem. The exact length of his reign has been disputed by historians, as have been the authenticity of his letters and decretals; however, early scholars credit Evaristus with dividing Rome into specific parishes and with ordaining fifteen bishops, seven priests, and two deacons. Lack of historical evidence for these acts, though, would make them questionable.

In his first epistle addressed to the bishops of Africa, Evaristus decreed that seven deacons were to monitor a bishop's preaching, to ensure that he did not lapse from the true teachings. Evaristus did not wish to see undue accusations aimed at his bishops, yet reserved solely to the See of Rome the power to terminate any bishop as a result of this indiscretion. His second epistle drew a comparison between the lasting bond of husband and wife and that of a bishop and his diocese. Fragments of certain documents bearing his name have been proved to be forgeries, and therefore the validity of his epistles is doubtful. Evaristus did, however, live long enough to see the beginning of the Antonine dynasty.

According to Church tradition, he died a martyr and was buried near St. Peter on the Vatican Hill, but again, there is no reliable evidence to support this.
—Excerpted from The Popes: A Papal History, J.V. Bartlett

Highlights and Things to Do:

• Read more about St. Evaristus:
  • Catholic Encyclopedia
  • Popes in a Year
  • Pope History
  • Catholic365
  • CatholicSaints.info
  • CNA