The Year of St. Paul

As you likely know, this coming Saturday, the Vigil of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, marks the start of the Year of Saint Paul. A year ago Pope Benedict XVI stated:

"This 'Pauline Year' will take place in a special way in Rome, where for 2,000 years under the papal altar of this basilica, lies the tomb that according to experts and undisputed tradition has conserved the remains of the apostle Paul."

The Pontiff said: "In the papal basilica and Benedictine abbey attached to it, there can take place a series of liturgical, cultural and ecumenical events, as well as various pastoral and social initiatives, all of them inspired by Pauline spirituality.

"Special attention can also be given to pilgrims who from various places will want to go to the tomb of the Apostle in a penitential way in order to find spiritual benefits.

"Meetings for study will be promoted and there will be special publications on Pauline texts, to promote the immense richness of the teaching contained in them, true patrimony of humanity redeemed by Christ.

"Also, in every part of the world, similar initiatives will be organized in dioceses, sanctuaries and places of prayer by religious institutions, institutions of study and assistance, which carry the name of St. Paul or which have been inspired by him and his teaching."

Benedict XVI explained that this year must have an important "ecumenical dimension."

"The Apostle of the Gentiles, who dedicated himself to the spreading of the good news to all peoples, spent himself for the unity and harmony of all Christians," the Pope said.

"May he guide us and protect us in this bimillenary celebration," he added, "helping us to advance in the humble and sincere search for the full unity of all the members of the mystical body of Christ."

Here is the website of the Papal Basilica, St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls. 

The Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli, the wonderful bishop of Wilmington, Delaware, has written an excellent pastoral letter about the Pauline year. He offers six themes to consider during the year, as well as ten ways to celebrate the the Year of Saint Paul. I highly recommend it.

Our Sunday Visitor newspaper, for which I write a weekly Scripture column, has a special "Year of St. Paul" section on its website.

Finally, in addition to the writings of St. Paul, other recommended reading includes Pope Benedict's audiences on the Apostle to the Gentiles, available on the Vatican website:

• Paul of Tarsus (Oct. 25, 2006)
• St. Paul's new outlook (Nov. 8, 2006)
• St. Paul and the Spirit (Nov. 15, 2006)
• St. Paul and the Church (Nov. 22, 2006)

I would be remiss, of course, if I didn't mention that those audiences, along with many others, are available in a handsome hardcover book from Ignatius Press, Jesus, the Apostles, and the Early Church. More information and excerpts from that book can be found here. (The next book of Benedict's audiences, Church Fathers: From Clement of Rome to Augustine, will be available later this year from Ignatius Press.)

I'll be posting more about the Pauline Year in the coming weeks and months. Here are some Pauline related resources from Ignatius Press:

• Footprints of God | Paul: Contending For the Faith, by Steve Ray (DVD)
• Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Romans
• Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Galatians and Ephesians
• Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Corinthians
• Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon
• Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Thessalonians, Timothy, and Titus
• Praying with Saint Paul: Daily Reflections on the Letters of the Apostle Paul by Peter Cameron
• Paul Struggles with His Congregation by Hans Urs von Balthasar
• The Apostle Paul and the Earliest Churches (DVD)
• The Story of Paul the Apostle (DVD)

Comments

[Ed Peters]

I've started Prat a couple of times. This time I'm going to finish it. Both volumes. Sancte Paule, ora pro nobis.

[LJ]

-Jesus, the Apostles, and the Early Church.-

I am happy to say that my copy is on the way and tracking tells me I'll have it mid-week. I can hardly wait.

[MMajor Fan]

I'm enjoying the OSV material and also that they made the entire June 22 issue, their kickoff issue for the Year of St. Paul, free online. Two articles by you!! And Mark Shea!!

[Deacon Harold]

Last night, I watched most of the Mass from the Vatican on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. I was almost in tears as I watched Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I and Pope Benedict XVI together during the Liturgy of the Word, my brother deacons proclaiming the Gospel in both Latin and Greek, and the joint homilies of Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict. It gave me great hope that maybe I will see reunion of the Church of Constantinople and Rome in my lifetime! I would say the Year of St. Paul is off to a great start.

The only thing that killed my buzz was the horrific English commentary/translation.