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KJT, Catholic Union of Texas, Spiritual Director

Pope Benedict XVI Announces Special Jubilee Year Dedicated To St. Paul . . .

Pope Benedict XVI has announced a special jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul beginning June 28, 2008 and running until June 29, 2009, to mark the approximately 2,000th anniversary of St. Paul’s birth. “Dear brothers and sisters, as in the (church’s) beginning, today, too, Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs like St. Paul,” the Pope said.

In his sermon, the Pope said St. Paul’s success as an evangelizer was not credited to skills as a speaker or to a “refined strategy” of missionary argumentation. His achievements had more to do with his extraordinary personal involvement in announcing the Gospel and his total dedication to Christ, despite problems and persecutions, the Holy Father said. “St. Paul’s life holds a lesson for modern Christians.”

The action of the church is credible and effective only to the extent that Christians are willing to “pay personally for their faith in Christ, in every situation,” said Pope Benedict. Where this commitment is lacking, the appeal of the Gospel will be weaker, he said. The Pope recalled that St. Paul was once a violent persecutor of Christians who experienced a lasting personal conversion. “He lived and worked for Christ; he suffered and died for him. How current is his example today,” he said.

“O glorious St. Paul, after persecuting the Church you became by God’s grace its most zealous Apostle. To carry the knowledge of Jesus, our Divine Savior, to the uttermost parts of the earth you joyfully endured prison, scourgings, stonings and shipwreck, as well as all manner of persecutions culminating in the shedding of the last drop of your blood for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Obtain for us the grace to labor strenuously to bring the faith to others and to accept any trials and tribulations that may come our way. Help us to be inspired by your Epistles and to partake of your indomitable love for Jesus, so that after we have finished our course we may join you in praising Him in heaven for all eternity.” Amen!

Father Bob Knippenberg
State Spiritual Director




	Home President Spiritual Advisor State Officers Insurance Marketing Director Sales Representatives Life Insurance Events Calendar Culture Benefits Forms Contact Us Activity Center Links		KJT, Catholic Union of Texas, Spiritual Director Pope Benedict XVI Announces Special Jubilee Year Dedicated To St. Paul . . . Pope Benedict XVI has announced a special jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul beginning June 28, 2008 and running until June 29, 2009, to mark the approximately 2,000th anniversary of St. Paul’s birth. “Dear brothers and sisters, as in the (church’s) beginning, today, too, Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs like St. Paul,” the Pope said. In his sermon, the Pope said St. Paul’s success as an evangelizer was not credited to skills as a speaker or to a “refined strategy” of missionary argumentation. His achievements had more to do with his extraordinary personal involvement in announcing the Gospel and his total dedication to Christ, despite problems and persecutions, the Holy Father said. “St. Paul’s life holds a lesson for modern Christians.” The action of the church is credible and effective only to the extent that Christians are willing to “pay personally for their faith in Christ, in every situation,” said Pope Benedict. Where this commitment is lacking, the appeal of the Gospel will be weaker, he said. The Pope recalled that St. Paul was once a violent persecutor of Christians who experienced a lasting personal conversion. “He lived and worked for Christ; he suffered and died for him. How current is his example today,” he said. “O glorious St. Paul, after persecuting the Church you became by God’s grace its most zealous Apostle. To carry the knowledge of Jesus, our Divine Savior, to the uttermost parts of the earth you joyfully endured prison, scourgings, stonings and shipwreck, as well as all manner of persecutions culminating in the shedding of the last drop of your blood for our Lord Jesus Christ. Obtain for us the grace to labor strenuously to bring the faith to others and to accept any trials and tribulations that may come our way. Help us to be inspired by your Epistles and to partake of your indomitable love for Jesus, so that after we have finished our course we may join you in praising Him in heaven for all eternity.” Amen! Father Bob Knippenberg State Spiritual Director