March 05

Pope Lucius I served from June 253 until his death in March 254, a time marked by intense persecution of Christians. He corresponded with Cyprian of Carthage to address disputes over the readmission of lapsed believers. Lucius worked to reinforce ecclesiastical order and clarify the Church’s penitential discipline. Despite his papacy lasting less than a year, his leadership strengthened the early Church’s structure. He is commemorated on March 5th as a martyr and saint.

Father Roque Ruaño (1877–1935) was a Spanish Dominican friar and civil engineer. He earned a doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Ghent and specialized in reinforced concrete design. Ruaño is best known for the earthquake-resistant engineering of the University of Santo Tomas Main Building in Manila, completed in 1927. His innovative use of reinforced concrete made it one of the first earthquake-resilient university buildings in Asia. He authored technical papers on modern construction techniques and contributed to engineering education. Ruaño's work stands as a landmark in early 20th-century structural design, blending faith and science in service of educational architecture.

David Sheppard (1929–2005) was one of England's leading Test batsmen in the 1950s and early 1960s. After retiring from cricket, he was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1964. He became Bishop of Woolwich in 1975 and served as Bishop of Liverpool from 1975 to 1997. Sheppard was known for his outspoken views on social justice, race relations, and interfaith dialogue. He authored several books on faith and society and remained a respected public figure until his death.

Born in 1932, Edward Egan was ordained a priest in 1960 and rose through the ranks of the Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Bridgeport from 1988 to 2000, where he oversaw significant pastoral and administrative initiatives. In 2000, Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of New York, and he was elevated to cardinal in 2001. Cardinal Egan guided the archdiocese during the September 11 attacks, offering spiritual leadership in a time of crisis. He advocated for Catholic education, oversaw the restoration of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and expanded outreach programs. He retired in 2009 and passed away on March 5, 2015, remembered for his devout service and leadership.