Image from Wikimedia Commons.
Saint Vincent de Paul
Founder, Vincentians (1580–1660) Vincent de Paul was born to a peasant family in Gascony. Though he later achieved fame for his dedication to the poor, his early life was spent…
Image from Wikimedia Commons.
Mother Frances Warde
Sister of Mercy (1810–1884)Frances Warde, who was born in Ireland and became the first professed member of the Sisters of Mercy, would go on to play an enormous role in…
Image from Wikimedia Commons.
Stephen Biko
South African Freedom Fighter (1946–1977)Along the road to freedom in South Africa, many did not live to see the day of victory. Steve Biko is among the most honored martyrs…
Image from Wikimedia Commons.
J.R.R Tolkein
J. R. R. Tolkien Author (1892–1973)John Ronald Reul Tolkien lost both his parents at a young age. Before her death, his mother, a devout Catholic, appointed a priest of the…
Raimon Panikkar in 2007 - Milarupa, Calitjas - Roses - Girona, Spain. by Milena Carrara Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication from Wikimedia Commons
Raimon Panikkar
Raimon Panikkar, born in Barcelona, was the son of a Spanish mother, a Roman Catholic, and a Hindu father from India. Thus, the call to reconcile differing cultures and religions…
Beata Emilia Bicchieri by Salvodif Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 from Wikimedia Commons
Blessed Emily of Vercelli
Blessed Emily was born in Vercelli in northern Italy to a prosperous family. After the death of her mother, she became a special support and comfort to her father, who…
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Venerable Simon Mpeke
Simon Mpeke was born in Cameroon to poor agricultural workers who were non-Christians. Early in life, Simon felt an attraction to Christianity and asked to be baptized. In 1935 he…
Statue St. Nonna von Nazianz by Thomas Hummel Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 from Wikimedia Commons
St. Nonna
St. Nonna was born to Christian parents in Cappadocia (in present-day Turkey). She married Gregory, a magistrate in Nazianzus, though he belonged to a non-Christian sect. As one of her…
Photograph provided by Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, OH
Paula Gonzalez
Paula González, who was born in Albuquerque, entered the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1954. After receiving a doctorate in biology, she went on to teach for many years…
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Hadewijch of Brabant
Almost nothing is known of the life of Hadewijch, a Flemish mystic who lived in the thirteenth century. Although a prolific author, she inspired no biography. All that is known…
