April 16

Little is known of his early life, but he became Archbishop of Braga in the Visigothic Kingdom around 656. He presided over ecclesiastical councils and worked to strengthen the Church's position in the Iberian Peninsula. Fructuosus was celebrated for his charitable works and dedication to monastic reform. He is credited with founding and supporting rural monasteries that became centers of learning and spiritual life. His feast day is observed on April 16th, honoring his legacy of faith and pastoral care. Venerated as a saint, he remains a symbol of devotion in the Catholic tradition of Portugal and Spain.

Born in 1844 in Lourdes, France, she experienced multiple visions of the Virgin Mary in a grotto at age 14. Her testimony led to the establishment of Lourdes as one of the world’s most significant pilgrimage sites. Witnesses reported miraculous healings attributed to the spring water, drawing millions of visitors. She joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers and lived a life of humility and obedience. Bernadette was canonized in 1933 by Pope Pius XI. Her story remains a powerful symbol of faith and divine compassion.