October 05

Born to the powerful Farnese family in 1520, Alessandro was the grandson of Pope Paul III and was made cardinal at a young age. He served as papal legate in various European courts and negotiated crucial alliances during the Counter-Reformation. His diplomatic skill helped to strengthen the Vatican’s influence across Italy and beyond. As a patron of the arts, he supported painters and architects, contributing to the cultural flourishing of the era. Farnese also held multiple bishoprics and managed extensive church lands. He died in 1589, admired for his political acumen and lasting impact on the Catholic Church.

Maria Maddalena Martinengo was born in 1687 into a noble Italian family. At a young age, she felt a calling to religious life and entered the Capuchin Poor Clares, adopting a life of strict poverty and devotion. She became known for her deep spirituality and mystical experiences, attracting admiration within her community. Her collected letters and spiritual writings offered guidance to fellow nuns and laypeople alike. Despite suffering from poor health, she remained steadfast in prayer and service until her death in 1737. She was later venerated for her holiness and contributions to the religious community.

Jonathan Edwards was born in 1703 in Connecticut and became a leading voice of American Puritanism. Educated at Yale University, he served as a preacher known for his powerful oratory and vivid descriptions of divine judgment. His sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" became emblematic of the Great Awakening’s revivalist fervor. Edwards emphasized a personal, emotional experience of faith and wrote extensively on theology and ethics. He later served as president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) before his untimely death in 1758 from smallpox. His ideas on free will, justification, and religious experience have had a lasting impact on Protestant thought.

Born in Dublin in 1816, Ursula Frayne joined the Sisters of Mercy and answered the call to serve in the fledgling Australian colony. Arriving in Perth in 1846, she established the first Mercy convent in Western Australia and opened schools that provided education to girls and disadvantaged children. She later expanded her missionary work to Victoria, founding orphanages and training young women in nursing and teaching. Frayne navigated scarce resources and colonial challenges with determination and faith. Her pioneering efforts solidified the foundation of Catholic education across Australia, earning her recognition as a key figure in the nation’s religious and social history.

Born in 1923 in Minnesota, Philip Berrigan was ordained as a Maryknoll priest and became a leading anti-war campaigner. Alongside his brother Daniel and other members of the Catonsville Nine, he burned draft files in 1968 to protest the Vietnam War. Berrigan continued civil disobedience actions through the 1970s, targeting military installations and nuclear weapons. His activism led to multiple arrests and prison sentences, where he organized educational programs. He co-founded Veterans For Peace and remained committed to social justice causes throughout his life. Berrigan's writings and sermons inspired generations of activists. He passed away in 2002, leaving a legacy of dedication to nonviolent resistance.