August 15

Born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon in 1195, he joined the Franciscans and became renowned for his eloquent sermons. He traveled across Italy and France, defending the faith and teaching theology. His profound knowledge led to his recognition as a Doctor of the Church. He was canonized in 1232, less than a year after his death in 1231. He is widely venerated for his miracles and for being the patron saint of lost objects.

Born in 1865 in Yamagata Prefecture, Usui pursued studies in theology, medicine, and martial arts before embarking on a spiritual quest. After a meditative retreat on Mount Kurama, he discovered the Usui Reiki healing method, emphasizing channeling universal life energy. He established the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai society and trained numerous students in Tokyo and Kyoto, ensuring the practice’s spread. His approach combined physical, mental, and spiritual healing, drawing on ancient Eastern philosophies. Usui’s teachings laid the foundation for modern Reiki, influencing alternative medicine globally. He passed away in 1926 but remains revered by practitioners worldwide.

Born Aurobindo Ghose in 1872 in Bengal, he excelled academically before joining the early revolutionary movement against British rule. After a visionary spiritual experience in 1908, he withdrew to Pondicherry to develop Integral Yoga, seeking to unite material life with spiritual evolution. A prolific writer, his works include "The Life Divine," "Savitri," and numerous essays on culture and education. He founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, attracting disciples worldwide. His vision combined activism, spirituality, and poetry, shaping Indian thought in the 20th century. Sri Aurobindo died in 1950, leaving a rich philosophical and literary legacy.

Catherine Doherty was born near Moscow in 1896 and endured the upheavals of war and revolution before emigrating to Canada. In 1947, she established the Madonna House Apostolate in Ontario, a lay community dedicated to prayer, hospitality, and service to the poor. Doherty authored numerous books on spirituality, emphasizing the role of ordinary people in living out the Gospel. She traveled extensively to promote reconciliation, social justice, and the dignity of all individuals. Until her death in 1985, she remained a mentor and inspiration to lay missionaries around the world. Her writings continue to guide those committed to faith-based community outreach.

Born in Ciudad Barrios in 1917, Óscar Romero became Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977. During a period of escalating political violence, he used his sermons to denounce human rights abuses and government repression. His outspoken criticism of the military made him a symbol of hope for the poor and oppressed. On March 24, 1980, he was assassinated while celebrating Mass, an event that galvanized human rights movements worldwide. Romero was beatified in 2015 and canonized as a saint in 2018. He remains a global symbol of courage, compassion, and social justice.