The Mystery of Suffering and the Grace of the Conversion of Saint Paul

The church would not have received the gift of Saint Paul if Stephen hadn't prayed these words, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. Augustine wants us to recognize that Stephen's suffering and his death is ultimately what triggers the grace of the conversion of Saint Paul. In a sense, you could say that Stephen's the spiritual father of the apostle Paul, winning the grace of his conversion and showing the way for him.