The letters St. Paul wrote to St. Timothy are cherished as the “pastoral epistles” for they were written to Pastor Timothy, whom Paul had ordained and consecrated to be the bishop of the new and growing church in Ephesus. Paul had met Timothy on his second missionary journey and there began a long and fast friendship, a father-and-son relationship, that comes through in the warm, loving words of encouragement and instruction that Paul delivers to Timothy. The letters hold a special place in the ministry of every Christian pastor, for they are the Holy Spirit’s gift to pastors of the Christian Church, given to them by means of the Apostle Paul. St. Timothy is the model for every Christian pastor, a faithful and devoted servant of Christ, for the people of God.

I’ve always had a special fondness and love for St. Timothy, since my name is Paul Timothy. My father gave me his name and wanted me always to remember and think of Paul’s relationship with Timothy, his beloved son in the Faith. My father and I both loved the name “Paul” and I remember very well my father many times telling me that my first name was also his, to be sure, but he wanted to share it with me, and thus, share with me his devotion and love for St. Paul, even as Paul had shared so much with his “true son in the faith.” It is fitting therefore that Timothy’s commemoration day occurs the day before we remember and praise God for the conversion of Paul, on Jan. 25.