December 01

Hasan ibn Ali was born in Medina in 624 as the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatimah. Recognized by Shia Muslims as the second Imam, he succeeded his father as spiritual and community leader. Throughout his life, he advocated for peace and reconciliation, notably settling disputes that threatened to divide the early Muslim community. His commitment to justice, generosity, and piety became a model for future generations. Hasan's teachings and letters continue to influence Islamic theology and ethics. He passed away in 670, leaving a lasting legacy in Shia Islam.

Bernardino Realino was born in 1530 and joined the Society of Jesus in 1564. He dedicated his life to teaching and evangelization, serving in Lecce and other parts of Apulia. Realino founded schools and charitable institutions, focusing on the education of the poor and support for orphans. His ability to connect with local communities earned him widespread respect and veneration. Realino was beatified in 1896, and his feast day is celebrated by the Jesuit order. He died in 1616, remembered as a model of Jesuit compassion and service.

Born Lungtok Gyatso in 1805, he was recognized as the ninth incarnation of the Dalai Lama at age four. Enthroned in Lhasa in 1810, he led the Gelug school under the guidance of regents during his childhood. Though his reign was short, he oversaw important monastic teachings and devotional practices. His death in 1815 from smallpox left Tibet without a Dalai Lama for several decades, a rare interregnum. Remembered for his spiritual status and the solemn ceremonies of his enthronement and passing.

Ledi Sayadaw (1846–1923) was a prominent Burmese Theravada Buddhist monk and scholar who revitalized monastic education and meditation practice in Myanmar. He authored numerous works in Pali and Burmese, including insightful commentaries on the Abhidhamma and Vinaya. His teachings emphasized vipassana meditation and ethical conduct as paths to enlightenment. He founded meditation centers that attracted both Burmese and Western students. His scholarship and initiatives played a crucial role in preserving and spreading Buddhism during the colonial era. His legacy endures in modern vipassana movements around the world.

Peter Baptist Tadamaro Ishigami was a pioneering Japanese Roman Catholic prelate and the inaugural Bishop of the Diocese of Naha. Ordained in 1947, he dedicated his ministry to serving the faithful in Okinawa, fostering post-war reconciliation and spiritual growth. In 1972, he was appointed bishop when the diocese was officially established, becoming the first to hold the position. Ishigami worked tirelessly to rebuild churches and communities affected by conflict, emphasizing education and social outreach. He supported interfaith dialogue and cultural preservation, recognizing the unique heritage of the Okinawan people. After retiring in 1997, he continued pastoral work until his passing in 2014. His legacy endures in the diocesan institutions and bridges he built between faith communities.

Born as Alice Antonia in Hollywood, California, she joined the Franciscan Sisters and adopted the name Mother Antonia. In the 1970s, she moved to Mexico and began volunteering in prisons to aid the marginalized and incarcerated. She founded Casa Hogar, a shelter and rehabilitation center supporting inmates with education, counseling, and vocational training. Her tireless work earned her national recognition, including the Premio Nacional de Derechos Humanos. Mother Antonia wrote memoirs detailing her experiences and advocated for prison reform until her death in 2013. Her legacy continues through the ongoing operations of her foundation in Mexico.

N. T. Wright (born December 1, 1948) is an influential English Anglican bishop, theologian, and scholar. He served as the Bishop of Durham from 2003 to 2010 and has held academic positions at universities including Oxford and St Andrews. Wright is renowned for his contributions to New Testament studies, historical Jesus research, and Pauline theology. The author of over 60 books, he has shaped contemporary debates on Christian origins and the resurrection. His accessible writing style has made complex theological ideas available to scholars and lay readers alike.