ROME — The Pauline Year, also known as the Year of Paul, begins this week. The year commemorates the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Apostle Paul, and runs through June 29, 2009.
According to the June 2008 issue of Fraternitas, this is an extraordinary jubilee proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI to recall and celebrate Paul’s unique contribution to the building of the early Church. St. Paul, together with St. Peter, initiated the Church of Rome.
The monthly publication of the Order of Friars Minor tells readers that information about the Pauline Year is available from the Web site of the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls at www.annopaolino.org
A reflection on the contribution of Paul can be found in the Summer 2008 issue of The Anthonian. An article by Russell Becker, OFM, director of the Franciscan Missionary Union of Holy Name Province, titled, “Preparing for the Year of Paul,” appears on Page 11. It suggests a reading guide for the year of St. Paul’s New Testament books.
The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is commemorated this year on Sunday June 28.