January 30

Born María Ángeles Guerrero González in Seville, she took the name Angela of the Cross upon entering religious life. In 1875, she founded the Sisters of the Company of the Cross to care for destitute women and the sick. Angela’s deep compassion and hands-on service earned widespread admiration in her native Andalusia. She was beatified in 1982 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003, becoming a symbol of selfless charity. Her feast day on January 30 continues to inspire social outreach and devotion among the faithful.

Francis Schaeffer founded the L'Abri fellowship in Switzerland, creating a community where seekers engaged in open dialogue about faith and reason. He authored influential works such as "The God Who Is There" and "Escape from Reason", addressing the cultural crises of the modern world. Schaeffer's integration of theology, philosophy, and art resonated with intellectuals and students worldwide. His lectures and writings challenged both secular and religious audiences to consider the relevance of Christianity in contemporary society. He remains a significant figure in 20th-century evangelical thought, with his ideas continuing to be studied and discussed.

Born in Myanmar and raised in a merchant family, Goenka discovered Vipassana meditation in India under Sayagyi U Ba Khin. He dedicated his life to teaching this ancient practice to people of all backgrounds. He established numerous meditation centers globally and trained thousands of teachers. His teachings emphasized self-transformation through self-observation. Goenka authored books and delivered recorded discourses that continue to guide practitioners worldwide. He remained active until his passing in 2013.