June 11

Born in 1712, Benjamin Ingham devoted himself to missionary work during the early 18th century. He traveled extensively throughout colonial America, establishing churches and community gatherings to share his Christian faith. Ingham’s efforts contributed to the spread of evangelical movements and influenced later denominations. Despite facing hardship and resistance on the frontier, he remained committed to his calling until his death in 1772. His legacy lives on in the communities he helped found and the religious revivals he inspired.

Mordecai M. Kaplan was born in 1881 in Lithuania and immigrated to the United States as a child. He served as a rabbi in New York City and became a prominent Jewish thinker. Kaplan challenged traditional views by proposing that Judaism was an evolving religious civilization. In 1922 he founded the Society for the Advancement of Judaism and later the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. His ideas emphasized community, culture, and democratic participation in Jewish life. He authored influential works such as “Judaism as a Civilization” and left a lasting impact on modern Jewish theology.

Francisco Marto was born in 1908 in Aljustrel, Portugal, and died at the age of ten in 1919. He, along with his sister and cousin, reported seeing the Virgin Mary in the Cova da Iria near Fátima. His humble faith and innocence made him a beloved figure among pilgrims and devotees. Despite his young age, Francisco endured hardships with remarkable patience and devotion. He was beatified in 2000 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2017, becoming one of the youngest saints in Catholic history. Francisco's short life and spiritual legacy continue to inspire believers around the world. His story is commemorated each year on June 11, drawing visitors to the Sanctuary of Fátima. He remains a symbol of childlike trust and piety within the Catholic tradition.