Pope Benedict XVI declared a jubilee year, from June 28, 2008 through June 20, 2009, in honor of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul. Although St. Paul’s writings are part of every Mass, many Catholics may not be familiar with this man who had such an impact on the teachings of the Church. 

The only thing I remember about St. Paul from our religion classes was that he was a Jew who was determined to destroy the early Christians. On the road to Damascus, he was struck down and a voice asked why St. Paul was persecuting His followers. Frankly, it didn’t make too much of an impression.

Andrea Cardinal Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, from the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, in Rome, is pleased with the announcement of the jubilee year. He said, “Unfortunately Paul is less well known than he should be. His thought is rewarding but complex and so needs sustained attention. The jubilee will give us an opportunity to learn more about Paul and his teachings.”

It is said that Paul’s Letter to the Romans shaped Christian theology and history.

Fr. William J. Parker, C.Ss.R., wrote that “few letters of St. Paul had more impact on Christian history than the Letter to the Romans. St. Augustine, in his Confessions, recalled how a text from Romans (13:13) marked a turning point in his life and led to his conversion to Christianity. Augustine would return to this letter time and again as he came to grips with the mystery of sin, especially original sin, and the majesty of God’s grace.

“Centuries later, a doubt-ridden and anxious young Augustinian monk would turn to this same letter and find the words that gave him a profound hope and a new understanding of God’s mercy to sinners, changing the history of the Church. That monk’s name was Martin Luther.” (Paul’s Letter to the Romans What Lies Ahead, published in the July/August 2008 edition of Liguorian)

Fr. McKnight, in announcing the jubilee year, encouraged parishioners to explore St. Paul’s letters. There are several copies of The Apostle Paul: A Bible Study Guide for the Jubilee Year by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. in The Scriptorium. Fr. McKnight suggested parishioners form small study groups using this guide as a springboard. A group meeting weekly should complete their examination of St. Paul’s letters within six-to-eight weeks.

One group is slated to start Sept. 10. Hosted by Marie Hand in her home at 131 Circle Dr., just south of the church, the group will meet at 9:30am on Wednesdays.  This is an extension of the women’s rosary group and children are welcome. A play space for the children will keep they occupied while the adults meet. Adults, men and women are welcome to join the group for the bible study sessions, but they must be able to tolerate small children Marie says.

Study groups can meet in parishioners’ homes or schedule a parish meeting room. Not only will participating in one of these groups open the door to a better understanding of St. Paul’s writings, it might also encourage further study of the Bible.

Anyone wishing to form such a group may place a notice in the bulletin. You are requested to notify the parish office with the study group’s meeting place, time and day of the week. Mary Dean Sander, Scriptorium manager, can be reached at 684.5353 if you’d like to purchase a copy of the study guide (it’s only $9) and cannot visit the bookstore during regular hours after the Sunday Masses. 

While the study guide is not necessary for everyone in a group, at least a few members of the study group should have one. Starting a study group in late September would not only help one focus on this special jubilee year, but also be a good preparation for moving into Advent and the Christmas season.

What Is a Jubilee Year?

This tradition is traced to the Mosaic Law detailed in Leviticus and was celebrated every 50 years. In 1299, Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the first Christian jubilee year, “a year of forgiveness of all sins” and instructed that a jubilee year would be celebrated every 100 years. Subsequent popes changed the period of time to 50 and then 33 years. Pope Paul II fixed the interval at 25 years.

The Year of Paul is an exceptional or extraordinary jubilee year because it marks a special event; in this case, the 2000 anniversary of the birth of St. Paul.