Who Was St. Timothy? Getting to Know Our Patron Saint

As we joyfully reflect on the history of our St. Timothy Parish, which began as a mission parish of St. Paul's in Carrollwood, we have a wonderful opportunity to also learn about our parish's namesake, St. Timothy. In fact, the origins of our parish's name as a mission of St. Paul's Parish reflect Timothy's discipleship to — and missionary partnership with — St. Paul. It is also befitting that his name, Timothy, means "honoring God" — that is what we strive to do each day as a people of faith!

Timothy was born in Lystra, Lycaonia — now present-day Turkey — to a Greek father and a Jewish mother who had become a Christian believer. Understood to have been a timid child, Timothy had been acquainted with the Scriptures as a young man. It is understood that Timothy likely embraced the Christian faith upon Apostle Paul's first visit to Lystra. Upon Paul's second missionary journey and return to Lystra in 50 A.D., Timothy became his companion and missionary partner, alongside Silas and replacing Barnabas. Impressed by Timothy's character, knowledge of Scripture and devotion to Christianity, Paul referred to Timothy as his "own son in the faith."

Timothy apparently suffered from ill health, with Paul directing him to "stop drinking water only; take a little wine for the good of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Timothy 5:23). These ailments are why he is the patron saint of those suffering from stomach and intestinal disorders.

Throughout their ministerial work, Paul came to regard Timothy as a true confidant. Such was Paul's regard for Timothy that the apostle dispatched Timothy to Corinth, in order to help the members of the church there follow Paul's Christlike example. And in the face of Paul's first Roman imprisonment, Timothy relayed news about the Church back to Paul, which encouraged and lifted Paul's spirits.

As Timothy followed Paul's direction in giving his full attention to pastoral issues, offering himself entirely to Christ and His work, Timothy's own notable progress in developing his faith served as a strong example for those to whom he ministered. And even as Timothy was imprisoned for a time, devotion to his pastoral calling never wavered. Such was his devotion to the truth of the faith that he was martyred around 97 A.D. when a mob stoned him to death for his opposition to pagan worship.

Now, and in just a few short months when we celebrate St. Timothy's feast day — Jan. 26 — we have an opportunity to embrace and emulate Timothy's devotion to Christ and the teachings imparted by his mentor, St. Paul. Our community remains prayerfully grateful to our patron, St. Timothy, for his strong examples of faith and evangelization.

PRAYER TO ST. TIMOTHY

Lord, you blessed St. Timothy with Apostolic virtues. Through his intercession, may we be filled with the desire and will to live good and religious lives here on earth and thus be worthy of our heavenly home with you. Amen. St. Timothy, pray for us.