February 13

Born Lamberto Scannabecchi, he was elected pope in 1124 amid intense political maneuvering. Honorius II worked to strengthen papal finances and reorganize church administration across Europe. His pontificate saw tensions with the Holy Roman Emperor and disputes among rival cardinal factions. Upon his death in 1130, competing elections led to a schism with two rival popes. His papacy is remembered for both organizational reforms and the challenges of maintaining church unity.

Born in Burgos in 1515, Alfonso Salmerón became a prominent scholar in theology. He studied at the University of Paris where he joined Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier. As one of the first companions of Loyola, he helped establish the Society of Jesus in 1540. Salmerón participated in theological debates and wrote biblical commentaries and treatises. He served as provincial superior of the Jesuits in Portugal and Spain, guiding early Jesuit missions. He died in 1585, leaving a body of scholarly work that influenced Catholic Counter-Reformation thought.

Born in 1507 in Lancashire, Alexander Nowell was educated at Oxford and Cambridge. He became Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London, serving from 1560 to 1602. Nowell was a prominent Protestant theologian during the Elizabethan religious settlement. He authored a popular catechism in 1570 that shaped Anglican doctrine. He was known for his pastoral care and administrative reforms at St Paul's. His writings influenced generations of English clergy and laity before his death in 1602.

Born in 1663 into a distinguished New England family, Mather graduated from Harvard at age 15. He authored over 400 books and pamphlets, including 'Magnalia Christi Americana', chronicling New England's religious history. Mather played a controversial role in the Salem witch trials, both accusing and later condemning the proceedings. He advocated for smallpox inoculation during the 1721 epidemic, facing public opposition but ultimately saving lives. His blend of theology, science, and literature influenced American religious and intellectual life. He died in 1728, leaving a complex legacy as a minister, scientist, and writer.

Born in 1717, Konissky became a prominent archbishop in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He authored influential sermons and theological treatises, merging Orthodox doctrine with philosophical inquiry. Konissky advocated for educational reforms, founding schools to train future clergy. His preaching emphasized moral rigor, spiritual devotion, and intellectual engagement. He contributed to the theological debates of his time, defending Orthodoxy against Western influences. He died in 1795, revered as a key figure in the religious life of his region.

Jean-Baptiste Lamy was born in 1814 in Lempdes, France, and was ordained a priest in 1838. He was appointed the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Santa Fe in 1850 and later became its first archbishop in 1875. Lamy oversaw the construction of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe and founded schools, hospitals, and missions across New Mexico and Arizona. He worked closely with Native American communities and Hispanic settlers to build a united church presence. Lamy's life and work inspired Willa Cather's novel Death Comes for the Archbishop. He died in 1888, leaving a lasting legacy on the region's culture and faith.

Lloyd C. Douglas was born in 1877 in Columbia City, Indiana. He served as a Methodist minister before turning to fiction, drawing on his faith to craft inspirational novels. His 1942 novel The Robe, which explores the life-changing impact of a Roman tribune who crucified Jesus, became a national bestseller and was adapted into a major Hollywood film. Douglas wrote other successful works such as Magnificent Obsession and White Banners, blending melodrama with moral reflection. Through his novels, he reached millions of readers with themes of redemption and love. He continued writing until his death in 1951, influencing the genre of Christian fiction for decades.

Born in 1907 in Aljustrel, Portugal, Lúcia Santos was one of three shepherd children who reported seeing the Virgin Mary six times in 1917. Her accounts became central to the Catholic pilgrimage at Fátima, inspiring millions of faithful visitors. After the apparitions, she entered the Dorothean Sisters and dedicated herself to teaching and correspondence with pilgrims. She authored several memoirs detailing her visions and spiritual insights. Living under strict confidentiality on the apparitions, she only publicly confirmed them in 1941. Lúcia died in 2005, recognized as a humble servant of her faith whose experiences continue to influence Catholic devotion worldwide.

Laura Motta (1919–2014) was a Brazilian Roman Catholic nun devoted to religious education and service. She entered the convent at a young age and committed her life to teaching and spiritual guidance. Motta founded and led schools that provided education to children in underprivileged communities. Her compassionate approach and deep faith inspired many within her order and beyond. She was recognized for her selfless work in serving the poor and marginalized. Her legacy continues to influence religious educators and charitable organizations in Brazil.