March 09

Born in 1384 to a patrician family in Rome, Frances of Rome displayed deep piety from a young age. She founded the Oblates of Mary in 1425, a religious community dedicated to serving the poor and sick. Frances was known for her acts of charity, humility, and mystical experiences, often fasting and praying for others. During a plague outbreak, she risked her life caring for victims, earning her enduring reputation for compassion. She died in 1440 and was canonized by Pope Paul V in 1608, leaving a model of devotion and service.

Catherine of Bologna, born Caterina de’ Vigri in 1413 in Bologna, joined the Poor Clares at Ferrara in 1431. She became renowned for her skill in painting and illuminating manuscripts, often decorating spiritual texts with vivid miniatures. Catherine authored 'The Nine Rungs of the Ladder of Perfection', a guide to mystical prayer and contemplation. She was celebrated for her humility, charity, and reported visions of Christ, drawing others to her example of devout life. After her death in 1463, Catherine’s shrine in Bologna became a pilgrimage site, and she was canonized in 1712 by Pope Clement XI.

Giulio Mazzarino, known as Cardinal Mazarin, was born in Pescina in 1602 and rose through the ecclesiastical ranks in Rome. In 1642 he succeeded Cardinal Richelieu as France’s chief minister under King Louis XIV and Queen Regent Anne of Austria. Mazarin guided France through the final years of the Thirty Years’ War and negotiated the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. He centralized royal authority, suppressed internal revolts, and laid the groundwork for French absolutism. A patron of the arts, Mazarin amassed a significant collection of paintings and books. He died in Paris in 1661, leaving a legacy as a shrewd diplomat and architect of France’s political ascendancy.

Mikao Usui was a Japanese Buddhist lay teacher born in 1865. After intensive meditation and spiritual training, he developed the Usui System of Reiki in 1922. Reiki is a holistic practice that uses gentle touch to channel healing energy and promote well-being. Usui established a clinic and taught Reiki in Tokyo, helping spread its principles throughout Japan. His compassionate approach emphasized self-healing, relaxation, and spiritual growth. Today, Reiki is practiced worldwide, continuing Usui's legacy of natural healing.

Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria was born in 1902 and led the Coptic Orthodox Church from 1959 to 1971. He was known for his ascetic lifestyle, spiritual teachings, and reputed miracles. Cyril VI established numerous churches and monasteries, revitalizing monastic life in Egypt. He fostered ecumenical dialogue and strengthened ties between the church and laity. Under his leadership, the church experienced a spiritual revival and growth in membership. Pope Cyril VI is venerated for his holiness and named a saint by the Coptic Orthodox Church.

John Bathersby was born in 1936 and ordained in 1960. He served as Bishop of Cairns from 1986 to 1991 and then as Archbishop of Brisbane until his retirement in 2011. Known for his pastoral care and commitment to education, he guided the Archdiocese through times of change. He championed social justice, supporting programs for Indigenous Australians and the poor. After retiring, he remained active in ecumenical and charitable work, leaving a lasting impact on the Catholic Church in Australia.