February 11

Born in Rome around 669, Gregory II was elected pope in 715. His pontificate occurred during the long controversy over the veneration of icons. He resisted Emperor Leo III’s policies against the use of religious images, supporting iconophile clergy. Gregory II also strengthened ties with the Frankish kingdom, laying groundwork for the Carolingian alliance. He organized defenses and negotiated peace with Lombard invaders in Italy. Under his leadership, the papacy increasingly asserted autonomy from Byzantine authority. He died on February 11, 731, after nearly sixteen years guiding the church through pivotal doctrinal conflicts.

Little is known of Paschal I’s early life before his election in 817. He undertook a large-scale program to restore and embellish the city’s basilicas and catacombs. Paschal commissioned mosaics in Old St. Peter’s and Santa Prassede that survive as masterpieces of early medieval art. He defended papal interests against the Byzantine Empire and local Roman nobility. Paschal maintained close relations with the Frankish court, securing support from Emperor Louis the Pious. His pontificate also saw tensions with Emperor Lothair I over jurisdictional disputes. He died on February 11, 824, remembered for his cultural and architectural contributions to Rome.

Born around 1096 in Saxony, Hugh joined the Abbey of Saint Victor in Paris in the early 12th century. He became one of the most influential masters at the Victorine school, teaching theology, philosophy, and the arts. Hugh’s works, such as the 'Didascalicon,' provided guidance on the use of the liberal arts for spiritual contemplation. He emphasized the four levels of biblical interpretation and the importance of mystical union with God. His writings bridged Platonic philosophy and Christian doctrine, influencing later scholastic thinkers. Hugh was also a skilled preacher and pastoral teacher, overseeing novices and scribes. He died in 1141, leaving a legacy as a founder of Victorine spirituality and medieval educational reform.

Born in Amsterdam in 1885, A. J. Muste emigrated with his family to the United States in childhood. He served as a Methodist minister before dedicating his life to social justice and nonviolent resistance. Muste became a leading advocate for labor rights, civil rights, and peace movements. He played a key role in organizing demonstrations against war and nuclear weapons, influencing figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout his career, Muste inspired others with his commitment to nonviolence and equity. He passed away on February 11, 1967, remembered as a tireless champion of peace.