O Glorious Saint Paul,
after persecuting the Church
you became by God’s grace its most zealous Apostle.
To carry the knowledge of Jesus,
our Divine Savior,
to the uttermost parts of the earth
you joyfully endured prison,
scourgings, stonings, and shipwreck,
as well as all manner of persecutions
culminating in the shedding of the last drop of your blood
for our Lord Jesus Christ.
[May your example inspire priests today
to be zealous in their service to God’s people.]
Obtain for our priests
the grace to labor strenuously
to bring the faith to others
and to accept any trials and tribulations
that may come their way.
Help them to be inspired by your Epistles
and to partake of your indomitable love for Jesus,
so that after they have finished their course
they may join you in praising him in heaven for all eternity.
Amen.