August 16

Saint John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, was an Italian priest, educator, and writer. He developed the Preventive System of education, emphasizing reason, religion, and loving-kindness over punishment. In 1859 he founded the Salesians of Don Bosco to provide schools and apprenticeships for poor children. His work expanded globally, with Salesian institutions still active today. Canonized in 1934, he is recognized as the patron saint of apprentices and editors, celebrated for his dedication to youth welfare and education.

Father Roque Ruaño y Pella was a Spanish Dominican priest and pioneering civil engineer. Born in 1877, he joined the Dominican Order and later earned a degree in engineering before being sent to the Philippines. He is best remembered for his innovative design of the Faculty of Engineering Building at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. Ruaño’s architectural work combined functional engineering with seismic-resistant features, a major advancement in tropical building design. He served both as a clergyman and an engineer until his death in 1935, leaving a lasting impact on Philippine educational infrastructure.

A key strategist in the American Civil Rights Movement, Wyatt Tee Walker helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and organized nonviolent protests in the 1960s. As chief of staff to Dr. King, he coordinated campaigns, speeches, and grassroots efforts. Walker also served as a pastor and wrote extensively on theology and social justice. After the movement, he taught at colleges and continued advocating for civil rights and global human rights. His leadership and scholarship bridged religious faith and political activism, leaving a profound impact on American society.

Seán Brady was born in 1939 in Belfast and ordained to the priesthood in 1963. He served in various pastoral and academic roles before being appointed Archbishop of Armagh in 1996. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the College of Cardinals. As Primate of All Ireland, he guided the Catholic Church through significant social changes. He played a key role in ecumenical dialogues and efforts to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Cardinal Brady resigned as Archbishop in 2014, marking the end of a long episcopal ministry. He remains a respected figure within the Church for his leadership during a period of transition.