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Today is the feast of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. He was born with the name Saul circa 3 in what is now Turkey. He was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians. However, he converted to Christianity after he fell and received a message that he was persecuting Christ by persecuting Christians. Starting over, he changed his name to Paul, was baptized and preached. He was beheaded in Rome circa 65. St. Paul is patron saint of evangelists, public relations personnel and writers.

St. Francis de Sales was born in 1567. After becoming a priest, he became provost of a diocese in Switzerland – where there were many Calvinists. He won many Calvinists back to the Catholic Church. This preacher and writer became bishop of the Diocese of Geneva. He died in 1622 and was canonized in 1665. He was named a doctor of the church. St. Francis de Sales is patron saint of the Catholic press, authors and journalists.

St. Vincent Pallotti was born to a noble family in Rome in 1798. He raised money for the poor and took care of the sick to the point of risking his own health. He began orphanages and agricultural schools. The teacher also began guilds. Vincent Pallotti founded the Pious Society of Missions (Pallottines). He died in 1850 and was canonized in 1963.

St. Agnes of Rome refused to give up Christianity or her virginity when ordered to do so. She was tortured and martyred circa 304. She is patron saint of betrothed couples and chastity.

St. Fabian was a lay farmer who was elected pope in 236 when a dove landed on his head the day a pope had to be elected. During much of his time as pontiff, Christians were accepted by non-Christians. St. Fabian was martyred circa 250.

St. Germanicus was handed over to wild animals in an arena; however, the animals did not attack. He provoked them and died a martyr in 156.

St. Prisca (also known as Priscilla) of Rome was a virgin martyr.

St. Anthony the Abbot was born in Egypt in 251. He sold his possessions and land, gave his money to the poor and became an anchorite – living alone in penance and prayer. He had many followers and founded two monasteries. He died in 356. Many in the area where he lived made baskets for a living, so St. Anthony became patron saint basket makers. He is also patron saint of epileptics, monks and animals.

St. Hilary of Poitiers was born in France in 315. Although he was born a pagan, he converted to Christianity after reading the Bible. He served as bishop of Poitiers from 353 to 368. Although exiled, Hilary converted people through his writing. He died in 368. In 1851, he was made a doctor of the church. St. Hilary is patron saint of snake bites.

St. Adrian of Canterbury was born in North Africa circa 635. This Benedictine monk became an abbot and an advisor to Pope Vitalian. He went to England in 669 and became abbot of St. Peter’s Monastery. Adrian evangelized England and taught languages, math and astronomy. He died Jan. 9, 710, in Canterbury, England. In 1091, St. Adrian’s body was found incorrupt.