January 10: Saint Paul, the First Hermit

Life of Saint Paul the Hermit

Saint Paul, the first hermit, or Paul of Thebes went into the dessert at the age of 16 and lived there- only eating grass - for over 100 years. He was canonized by Pope Gelasius in  491. 

Collect Prayer for the Feast of Saint Paul, the First Hermit

O God, Who dost gladden us by the annual

somenmity of blessed Paul, Thy Confessor, 

mercifully grant that as we his heavenly birth

we may also imitate his example. Through Christ, Our Lord. 

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Audio for Vespers, Memorial to Saint Paul, the First Hermit: 

Audio for Lauds, Memorial to Saint Paul, the First Hermit

Video image: Ribera, José de. Saint Paul the Hermit. 1640. Oil on canvas. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:San_Pablo_Ermita%C3%B1o,_por_Jos%C3%A9_de_Ribera.jpg.

Header image: Ribeiro, José Luiz Bernardes. Relics of Saint Paul the First Hermit - Santa Maria in Porto - Ravenna 2016. Photographed September 18, 2016. Reliquary. Basilica di Santa Maria in Porto, Ravenna, Italy. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Relics_of_Saint_Paul_the_First_Hermit_-Santa_Maria_in_Porto-_Ravenna_2016.jpg.