March 02

Mani (216–274) was a Persian religious leader who established Manichaeism, a dualistic faith combining elements of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism. Proclaiming himself the 'Apostle of Light,' he taught that the universe was divided between realms of light and darkness. His missionary efforts reached the Sassanian Empire, the Roman world, and along the Silk Road to China. Mani authored the Manichaean scriptures, emphasizing asceticism, vegetarianism, and salvation through spiritual knowledge. Despite attracting large followings, his teachings faced persecution from both Zoroastrian and Christian authorities. He was imprisoned and died under house arrest in the Sassanian capital. Manichaeism endured for centuries, influencing Gnostic movements and leaving a lasting mark on the history of world religions.

Saint Chad of Mercia (c.634–672) was an Anglo-Saxon churchman who served as Bishop of the Northumbrians and later of Mercia. Trained at Lindisfarne under Bishop Aidan and at Irish monasteries, he was admired for his ascetic lifestyle and gentle pastoral care. Consecrated by Celtic bishops, he established the monastery at Lastingham, promoting monastic discipline and Christian teaching. His brief episcopate emphasized humility, refusing ornate vestments and maintaining close ties with common people. Chad's devotion attracted followers and secured the spread of Christianity in central England. He died on March 2, 672, after a short illness. Venerated as a saint, his feast day continues to be celebrated in the Anglican and Catholic churches.

Alessandro Farnese (1520–1589), grandson of Pope Paul III, was created cardinal at age fourteen and became one of the most powerful figures in the Roman Catholic Church. He served as papal legate to the Council of Trent and as a diplomat in France, working to solidify alliances and implement Tridentine reforms. As Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia and Velletri, he held the deanery of the College of Cardinals, overseeing ecclesiastical matters during the height of the Counter-Reformation. A patron of the arts and letters, he commissioned works from renowned artists such as Michelangelo and amassed an impressive library. Farnese’s political acumen advanced the church’s interests in European courts, and his legacy endures in art collections and church administration. He died on March 2, 1589.

Born in Epworth, Lincolnshire in 1703, John Wesley was ordained as an Anglican minister and became a leading figure in the 18th-century evangelical revival. He traveled extensively on horseback, preaching to large open-air gatherings and stressing personal holiness, social justice, and dynamic faith. Wesley organized Methodist societies and developed a network of itinerant preachers and lay leaders. He co-authored hymn collections with his brother Charles, enriching worship and devotional life. His prolific writings on theology, practical divinity, and church governance shaped Protestant thought worldwide. Wesley's emphasis on education and humanitarian work influenced prison reform, medical care, and charity. He died in 1791, leaving a global Methodist movement that endures today.

Carl Sylvius Völkner was born in Prussia in 1819 and ordained as a Methodist minister. He arrived in New Zealand in 1849 to evangelize Māori communities in the Bay of Plenty. Over the next decade, Völkner translated scriptures and built missions to spread his faith. During the tensions of the New Zealand Wars, he was accused of acting as a government spy. In March 1865, local Māori executed him at Ōpōtiki, sparking outrage among European settlers. His death intensified conflict between Māori and colonial forces. Völkner's life and demise highlight the complex interplay of religion and politics in colonial New Zealand.

Dean E. Hess (1917–2015) was an American Lutheran minister and U.S. Air Force colonel known for his humanitarian efforts during the Korean War. Nicknamed the 'Angel of Mercy', he organized the dramatic evacuation of hundreds of orphans, an operation immortalized in the film 'Battle Hymn'. Hess graduated from Wittenberg College and Seminary before serving in World War II and Korea. After the war, he continued his ministry, founding orphanages and supporting relief work in South Korea. His dedication to service blended his pastoral calling with his military leadership, earning him numerous commendations.

Benoît Lacroix (1915–2016) was a Canadian Dominican priest, historian, and philosopher renowned for his scholarship on medieval spirituality. After joining the Dominican Order, he earned a doctorate in theology and began teaching at Université Laval. Lacroix published over fifty books and hundreds of articles on medieval philosophy, mysticism, and monastic history. He founded the Centre d'Études du Patrimoine at Laval, fostering interdisciplinary research and dialogue. Awarded the Order of Canada and the National Order of Quebec, he bridged the worlds of faith and academia throughout his long career.