Part of St. Patrick’s benediction, “May the wind be always at your back,” well suits the experience of the Pauline missionary band at the beginning of its second journey. The wind is, of course, the wind of the Spirit, and it blows in some surprising directions. Hearing how this push west into Europe began under God’s good hand is certain to give the reader confidence that the gospel message is more than just another Eastern cult threatening to pollute Roman minds and hearts. We too can gain confidence as we think about God’s direction of the nature, personnel and carrying out of the same mission.