Many of them, but Augustin of Hippo was among the greatest reprobates.
Now a doctor of the Church.
To show the amazing diversity of backgrounds, as well as the power of conversion to Christ, another saint we hope, is WWII Nazi Colonel Herbert Kappler, a member of the SS, convicted of war crimes for organizing a massacre in occupied Italy. For the rest of the story, you must read of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, who Col. Kappler tried many times to kill. Utterly amazing story, popularized in a 1983 TV movie The Scarlet and The Black.
'At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
And Saul approved of their killing him.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem,… Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.’
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.