Our Patron Saint
St Paul's Life
Saul, as he was known then, supported the persecution of the early followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. On his journey to Damascus, where he intended to arrest more Christians, Saul experienced a life-changing moment. A great light from heaven surrounded him, and the risen Jesus appeared to him, asking: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Struck blind, Saul was led into Damascus, where after three days, his sight was restored by Ananias. He was baptised, began to preach that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, and from that time became known as Paul.
Paul travelled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean, spreading the Good News of Jesus. You will recognise some of the cities Paul visited, Corinth, Damascus, Lystra, Valletta, Athens and Rome, as the names of the six Houses at St Paul’s Catholic College.
Throughout his journeys, Paul preached tirelessly, often facing hostility from those who opposed his message. Some leaders within the Jewish faith, and Roman authorities, strongly resisted his teachings as many people were converting to Christianity.
Despite being imprisoned in Spain, Malta and Rome for his preaching, Paul continued to spread the word of God. After his second arrest in Rome in 67 AD, Paul was martyred, believed to have been beheaded under the orders of Emperor Nero.
Paul’s writings, letters to early Christian communities, are now part of the New Testament. They remain important today because they offer timeless guidance on how Christians are called to live lives of faith, love, hope, and perseverance.
What St Paul Taught Us
St Paul didn’t just travel across the ancient world, he wrote letters to early Christian communities that still inspire us today. His messages remind us how to live with faith, courage and love in our everyday lives. Here are some of the values St Paul taught and how we live them at St Paul’s:
Faith and Trust in God“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
St Paul reminds us that we are never alone. At school, we support one another, lean on our faith in difficult moments, and believe in every student’s ability to grow and flourish.
Community and Unity“Though we are many, we are one body in Christ.” (Romans 12:5)
At St Paul’s, every student matters. We celebrate diversity, welcome everyone, and work as one community, whether we are in form time, worship, sports, or learning together.
Love in Action“Love is patient, love is kind... it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)
St Paul’s most famous teaching shows us how to love not just in words but in how we treat each other, with kindness, forgiveness, and compassion, every day.
Courage to Speak Up“Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord… but join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” (2 Timothy 1:8)
Paul encourages us to stand up for what is right, to speak with integrity, to defend others, and to share our faith and values with confidence.
Growth and Change“If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Paul himself changed his life, and reminds us that we are always growing, learning and becoming who we are meant to be. Every day is a chance to start again.
We live St Paul’s teachings every day through liturgies and assemblies, in our acts of charity and service, in house competitions and teamwork, by choosing kindness, even when it’s hard, and by always striving to do our best.
