February 10

Born in Italy, Scholastica is traditionally regarded as the twin sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia. She established a convent near her brother’s monastery, providing a model for female monastic life. Numerous miracles are attributed to her intercession, including a famous storm that prevented Benedict from leaving her side. Her life reflects the growing Benedictine movement that shaped Western monasticism. Scholastica’s feast day on February 10 is celebrated by many Christian denominations. She remains a patron saint of nuns and education.

Born into a noble family in 1282, Clare renounced wealth to join the Third Order of St. Francis. She dedicated her life to caring for the poor, sick, and marginalized in her city. Clare experienced mystical visions and was known for her deep contemplation. Her humble service inspired local devotion, leading to her beatification by Pope Pius VI. Clare founded a confraternity that followed Franciscan ideals of poverty and simplicity. Her feast day on February 10 honors her compassionate legacy.

Friedrich Christoph Oetinger (1702-1782) was a German Lutheran theologian associated with the Pietist movement. He studied at the University of Tübingen and served as a pastor in Wilhelmsdorf. Oetinger was influenced by mystic Jakob Böhme and developed a unique theosophical interpretation of Christian doctrine. He wrote extensively on the harmony between science, philosophy, and religion. His works include commentaries on the Bible and treatises on spiritual regeneration. Oetinger's thought left a lasting impact on later German mysticism and theological scholarship.

Pope Leo XII (born Annibale Francesco Clemente Melchiorre Girolamo della Genga, 1760-1829) served as head of the Catholic Church. He was elected pope in 1823 and reigned until his death in 1829. His pontificate focused on restoring papal authority after the Napoleonic upheavals. Leo XII promoted conservative policies, emphasizing moral reform and social order. He reorganized the Roman Curia and encouraged pastoral care in rural dioceses. Despite health challenges in his later years, he maintained a firm commitment to traditional Catholic doctrine.

José Sánchez del Río was a young Mexican boy who became a martyr during the Cristero War. He joined the Cristero rebel forces as a flag bearer at the age of twelve to defend religious freedom. Captured by government troops in 1928, he endured brutal torture yet refused to renounce his Catholic faith. Refusing to blaspheme, he was executed by firing squad at just fourteen years old. His courage inspired many believers, and he was beatified in 2005 and canonized as a saint by Pope Francis in 2016. José's story stands as a poignant testament to youthful faith and sacrifice.

Pope Pius XI, born Achille Ratti, led the Catholic Church from 1922 until his death in 1939. He negotiated the 1929 Lateran Treaty, resolving the 'Roman Question' and establishing Vatican City as an independent sovereign state. Pius XI issued pivotal encyclicals, including Quadragesimo Anno on social justice and Mit brennender Sorge protesting Nazi ideology. He condemned the persecution of Jews and opposed the rising tide of fascism and communism in Europe. Under his pontificate, the Church expanded missionary activity and Catholic education worldwide. Pius XI's leadership strengthened the Church's diplomatic role and left a profound theological legacy.

Born in 1898 in Krašić, Stepinac was ordained a priest before becoming Auxiliary Bishop of Zagreb in 1934. He was appointed Archbishop of Zagreb in 1937 and made a cardinal by Pope Pius XII in 1952. Stepinac's tenure spanned World War II and the Communist takeover of Yugoslavia. He opposed persecution of Jews and Serbs yet was later convicted by Yugoslav authorities for alleged collaboration. Stepinac spent five years under house arrest before his death in 1960. Beatified in 1998, his life continues to spark debate over faith, politics, and justice.

Born in 1931 in Brooklyn, New York, David Hartman was ordained as an Orthodox rabbi before earning a doctorate in philosophy. He moved to Israel in the 1970s and became a professor of Jewish philosophy. In 1976, he founded the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem to foster dialogue among diverse streams of Judaism. His writings explored the interplay of tradition and modernity in Jewish thought. Hartman served as a mentor to students and leaders worldwide. He advocated for ethical engagement and pluralism in religious practice. Hartman’s legacy continues through the institute’s educational programs. He died in 2013 at the age of 82.

Born in 1928 in Germany, Karl Josef Becker joined the Society of Jesus and was ordained a priest in 1965. He earned his doctorate in theology and taught dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Becker served on the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and consulted for theological commissions. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to cardinal in recognition of his scholarship. He authored numerous works on Christology and church doctrine. Becker was regarded as a guardian of orthodoxy within the modern Church. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 86.