In An Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales writes of the necessity, and the ongoing nature, of conversion for followers of Christ. The conversion of St. Paul, recounted by Saint Luke in Acts 9, was an extraordinary conversion that birthed St. Paul’s ministry across the Mediterranean world. St.
As the stones rained down on Stephen, and as Saul stood watch by the coats, Stephen implored God, saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Some time later, as Saul traveled to Damascus, “breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), the Lord Jesus appeared to him.