Having been taken up to heaven,

[Paul] seemed an angel from above, sent by God to recall people to heaven.


Cornelius a Lapide, SJ

The apostle also shares

in the destiny of appearing as 'a stumbling block' and 'foolishness,' and Paul knows it; this is the experience of his life.

Pope Benedict XVI

Just acquire Paul's charity

and you will acquire the crown of perfection.

St. John Chrysostom

He is humble

and he can be sarcastic; he is tender and also terrible. When in anguish, he recommends joyfulness. He passes from the dizzy heights of mysticism to scorching invectives...

Igino Giordani
St. Paul, Apostle and Martyr

All that Paul does,

all that he teaches, he does as anotehr Christ. He is engaged in an intense drama with Christ for the center.

Igino Giordani
St. Paul, Apostle and Martyr

We never find in Paul

any merely destructive criticism. There is reproof, never bitter resignation. His apostolic transfiguration, by God's gift, enables him always to see the good things first.


Carlo Cardinal Martini
The Testimony of St. Paul

Such was his longing for Christ

that he wanted to defer his reward and remain amid the struggle; those were his priorities.

St. John Chrysostom
Homily 2 in Praise of St. Paul