Centurions ( Roman ) and Evangelization

Centurions were men of status and experience in their communities. Sometimes their duties were limited entirely to military affairs; other times, they might be in charge of the administration of a small military district. A Centurion was held in high-esteem for his experience, skills, and trustworthiness. Centurions were, in more ways than one, the backbone of the Roman army. 

It is interesting to note that each of these Roman centurions, who is mentioned in the New Testament appears as an honest and kindly man and ready to accept Jesus’ Gospel. The centurion who commanded the squad which executed Jesus, was the first person to confess that Jesus was the Son of God (Mt 27:54) and innocent of the charges (Lk 23:47). 

This centurion can be called the first Gentile to be evangelized.
The unusual humanity of the centurion of Capernaum (Mt 8:5; Lk 7:2) is evident from his care for his sick slave, whom he asked Jesus to cure, as well as by his friendly relations with the Jews for whom he had built a synagogue. Of him Jesus said that He had not found such faith in Israel, because he knew that Jesus could effect the cure by a word alone without a personal visit; and the Church employs his profession of humility daily when the Eucharist is received.

Cornelius the centurion stationed at Joppa, was the first Gentile to be baptized. He was baptized by Peter at a crucial time for the development of evangelization: should the Gentiles be baptized without first being circumcised. The baptism of the Roman Centurion Cornelius performed by Peter, confirms the belief of the whole Church (not only of St Paul) that Gentiles can be baptized without being first circumcised (Acts 10).  

One centurion helped to save Paul from a scourging (Acts 22) and another to save him from a Jewish plot to murder him (Acts 23) and Paul was taken to Rome in the custody of the centurion Julius (Acts 27).