A Boy and His Saint

On January 25, 1951 – the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul – a boy was born in Orlando, Florida. As the boy’s name was so strange, he had no saint’s day of his own. So when he got to thinking about things like that he chose as his patron the man on whose day he was born.

But there was a problem. As the years passed, and the boy became a young man, he began to find irritating much of what Paul had to say. Eventually, he began to rail against the Apostle and call him all sorts of unpleasant names.

But, as more years went by, the young man began to mature; began, I say, because he has still not grown up completely. And in time he began to see the greatness of the man whom he had not understood.

He still doesn’t understand him completely. But he counts it a great honor to have been born on this day, and now unashamedly acknowledges Paul the Apostle to be his patron saint.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians 6. 11-17

(The above photo is undated, but taken approximately five to seven months after the Feast of Saint Paul, 1951).