<p>Margaret, born in Hungary about 1045, was the daughter of Eadward Atheling, heir apparent to the English throne, and Princess Agatha of Hungary. At about the age of 10, she returned to England with her family, but was forced back into exile after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Her widowed mother was taking her children to safety, when a North Sea storm wrecked their ship onto the Scottish coast.</p>

<p>Born in Swabia about 1206, Albert was the son of a German count who objected to his son's joining the newly-founded Dominican Order. Albert earned a doctorate from the University of Paris and taught theology there and in Köln. Thomas Aquinas, one of his students, became a close friend and fellow scholar.</p>

<p>Paul Miki joined the Jesuits in 1580. On February 6, 1597, he and 25 companions, clergy and lay, were killed for their faith in Nagasaki, Japan. They were suspended on crosses and killed by spears thrust through the heart. Their persecution was triggered by a nationalist fear of foreigners: for almost the next 200 years, Japan would be closed to the rest of the world. Despite this isolation, the faith survived without any priests and with only the sacrament of baptism.

<p>John Kuncewicz was born in present-day Ukraine about 1580. Upon entering the Order of St Basil he chose the name 'Josaphat.' He was ordained a priest of the Byzantine rite in 1609 and soon gained renown for his preaching. In 1617, named Archbishop of Polotsk, Russia, he worked for the renewal of the diocese and for the union of the Ukrainian Church with Rome. Many opposed Josaphat, claiming that he was trying to impose Roman-style Catholicism on the Ukrainian Church. He was slain by opponents in 1623 in Vitebsk.

<p>Martin was born about 316 in Pannonia (Hungary). Because his father was an army officer, Martin was conscripted to serve in the army. His parents were pagans but Martin became a Christian catechumen and was baptized at 18. Consequently, he decided that he should not be a soldier and became what could be called a conscientious objector. When the ensuing charges against Martin were finally dropped, he was free to pursue his vocation as a monk.</p>

<p>Jerome was born in Venice in 1486. He pursued a career in the military and gave very little thought to God. After an experience of conversion, he gave all his possessions to the poor, became a priest, and devoted himself to the instruction of orphans and the care of the poor. He founded an order, commonly called the Somaschi, to help with this work. One of his acquaintances was Pietro Carafa who later became Pope Paul IV. Jerome died on this day in 1537 of a plague. He is the patron of orphans and abandoned children.</p>

<p>Leo was born to Tuscan parents. His religious beliefs guided his entire life. As a deacon he worked to bring peace to warring Roman factions that were leaving Gaul vulnerable to barbarian invasion. Leo is well-known for his peacekeeping efforts, in particular for his encounter with Attila the Hun when he persuaded Attila not to plunder Rome. During another attack 3 years later, Leo was not so successful, though he did manage to save the city from being burnt. Leo worked alongside the people to rebuild the city and its churches.</p>

<p>Today is the anniversary of the dedication of the cathedral church of Rome by Pope Sylvester I in 324. Originally known as the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour, this church is called St John Lateran because it was built on property owned by the Laterani family and given to the Church. It was served by monks from the monastery of St John the Baptist and St John the Divine.</p>

<p>Charles Borromeo lived during the Catholic Reformation. He was born in 1538 into an aristocratic family and, as second son, was expected to serve the Church. When his uncle became Pope Pius IV, Charles, only 22 years old and still in minor orders, was created Cardinal Archbishop of Milan and Papal Secretary of State.</p>

<p>Martin de Porres was a Dominican laybrother from Lima, Peru, who lived from 1579 to 1639. He entered the Dominican friary at 15 and served in many capacities, including barber, infirmarian, and farm-labourer, and soon became well-known for his care of the sick and the poor, and of animals. His advice was sought by people in high places and he was well-loved and greatly respected by the populace.