Father Damien, born Jozef De Veuster, was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium. He went to live, with 3 other volunteers, with people suffering leprosy. He lead a ministry in the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1873 until 1889 to people with leprosy (Hansen’s disease). They lived in government mandated quarantine in a settlement on the Kalaupapa Penisula of Moloka’i. 6 months after his arrival at Kalawao he wrote to his brother Pamphile in Europe I make myself a leper with the lepers to gain all to Jesus Christ He taught the Catholic faith . He also cared for his patients and established leaders within the community to build houses, schools, roads, hospitals and churches. He dressed resident’s ulcers, built a reservoir, made 100s of coffins, dug graves, shared pipes and ate poi with them and provided both medical and emotional support. He also served as a priest during this time and spread the Catholic faith to the lepers. After 11 years he contracted leprosy himself. He continued to work in spite of the illness. He died aged 49 on 15th April 1889. News of his death brought in gifts of medicine and money for the work, and for the first time people around the world began to pay attention to leprosy reports . He has been described as a martyr of charity. He is considered the patron for leprosy and outcasts, Father Damien Day , April 15th, is a minor statewide holiday in Hawaii. 2005 Damien honored with the title De Grootste Beig The Greatest Belgian 2009 Damien canonized by Pope Benedict XXV1 In 1994 it was estimated that there were 12 million lepers but only 3 million receive treatment. Sources Wikipedia 70 Greatest Christians page 210 by Geoffrey Hanks

Wellesley became a Christian in 1866, aged 20 ,just before he departed Ireland for Australia. His efforts failed and he returned to Ireland. On his return his father urged him to find something worthwhile to do. He next sailed to India to join his brother who was an officer in the army. He intended to learn Hindu and become a policeman. In India he noticed the great needs of the poor people around him and wondered if God wanted him to become a missionary. He was accepted by American Presbyterian Mission (APM) to be a teacher in Ambala. The Rev, Dr, J, H. Morrison. the leader of the mission took him to leper asylum. If ever was a Christ -like work in this world it was to go among these poor sufferers and bring them the consolation of the gospel, Wellesley concluded. He made frequent visits to the asylum. As a result of his caring ministry sufferers were converted and baptised. In 1871 he was joined by Alice Grahame, his future wife. In 1873 they returned to Ireland due to her poor health. In Dublin he spoke about his work. The Pim sisters plus others offered to support his work. An account for* Lepers in India* was opened. He joined the Church of Scotland Missionary Society (CSMS). Returned to India in 1875 with his wife to work at Chamba in the foothills of the Himalayas. in 1879 they moved to Wazirabad. By this time he had emerged as the driving force behind efforts to provide adequate care for leprosy sufferers. A permanent structure was needed. When he returned to UK in 1885 he became the first Secretary, based in Edinburgh. 1886/7 the Bailey’s made first tour of India. In 1889 Father Damien, the founder/leader on the leper island of Molokai, died. As a result Wellsley’s Mission work was also brought to the attention of the public. ( See separate profile on Father Damien) 1913/4 the Bailey’s made their last tour. The Mission to Lepers continued to expand. Wellesley retired/resigned in 1917, aged 71 God does not make the burdens heavy. he makes them light, I have had his blessing in carrying it on and he has fitted the back to the burden. WB Wellesley died in 1937 aged 91. The Mission has been born and cradled in prayer. It has been brought up on prayer. It has been nourished on prayer, and prayer has been at the bottom of the success since the first moments of its life WB In 1994 it was estimated that there were 12 million lepers but only 3 million have received treatment to arrest the disease and prevent deformity. 70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks Sources Wikipedia 70 Great Christians (pages 206-10)

The Puritan revolt against the Church of England (C 0f E) made steady progress during the first half of the17th century. Richard, born In Rowton, Shropshire, who came to faith when he was about 15 years old, became an English nonconformist leader and theologian He made his reputation in the late 1630’s by his ministry in Kidderminster, where he began a long and prolific career as a theological writer. He became one of the most influential leaders of the nonconformist movement and as a result spent 2 terms in prison ( the second time after a ‘trial’ before the notorious Chief Justice Jeffrey when he was aged 69). (Read Legal Troubles). He regarded all forms of church government as secondary to religious practice,. He never went to university, instead he was placed under a few local clergymen in Ludlow. In 1638 he was offered the headship of the Endowed School at Dudley. He had a great desire to lead men to Christ. In April 1641, aged 26, following a sermon, he was unanimously elected minister of St Mary and All Saints Church, Kidderminster. He stayed for 19 years. During that time he accomplished many reforms.he united the various ministries into an association irrespective of their differences. The Reformed Pastor, which he published, dealt with general ministerial efforts he promoted. In 1647 while recovering from a debilitating illness he wrote* *The Saints’ Everlasting Rest *(1650). During the English Civil War (1645-7) -he reluctantly became a chaplain to Cromwell’s ‘roundheads’ and wrote his Aphorisms of Justification(1649) which excited great controversy(1650). In 1650 he received a letter with 265 signatures asking him to return to Kidderminster. He returned there as a lecturer. He worked with the vicar preaching the gospel and acting as pastor to the flock. In 1662 following the Act of Uniformity and refusing the appointment of Bishop of Hereford, he was expelled from the C of E. From 1662 until the indulgence in 1687 he was constantly disturbed by persecution. Placed in prison for keeping a convenicle ( a secret or unlawful religIous meeting, typically nonconformist). From 1687 until his death in 1691 his life passed peacefully.He died worn out by several bouts of illness and persecution. His funeral was attended by both churchmen and dissenters. During his lifetime he wrote 168 or so separate works. ( Read Theology) He also was a prodigious hymn writer. His sensitive conscience led him into conflict with almost all the contending parties in state and church but he was also one of the most influential leaders of the nonconformist movement in the 17th century. Sources Wikipedia 70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks

The members of the Society are men. *Members of the Society of Jesus make profession of perpetual poverty, chastity and obedience and promise a special obedience to the sovereign pontiff *( the Pope) Accordingly, to the opening lines of the founding document declared that the society was founded for whoever desires to serve as a soldier of God, to strive especially for the defense and propagation of the faith and for the progress of souls in Christian life and doctrine. There were 7 co- founders in 1540. Saint Ignatius of Loyola 1491-1556 See separate entry Saint Francis Xavier 1506-1552 See separate entry Saint Peter Father 1506-1546 Alfonso Salmeron 1515-1585 Diego Laynez 1510-1585 NIcholas Bobadilla 1509-1590 Simao Rodrigues 1510-1579 I have included information about the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and the other 5 co-founders. Within the Catholic Church there has been s sometimes tense relationship between Jesuits and the Vatican. This is due to questioning of official Church teaching and papal directives. The current pope, Pope Francis, is a Jesuit. Source Wikipedia

Saint Francis was a Basque cleric. He was a Catholic missionary and saint who co-founded with Saint Ignatius of Loyola and 5 other companions the Society of Jesus ( the Jesuits) in 1540. It was founded in Paris France and formalised in Rome. They are called Soldiers of Christ, and foot soldiers of the Pope because Ignatius was a knight before he became a priest. He was influential in evangelization work, most notably in early modern India. As a representative of the Portuguese Empire he led the first Christian mission to Japan He was also the first Christian missionary to venture into Borneo. Modern scholars suggest that in his life time he converted 30,000 to Christianity. He was beatified on 25th October 1619 by Pope Paul V. He was canonized on 12th March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV. Our present day Pope Francis is a Jesuit. Sources Wikipedia 70 Great Saints by Geoffrey Hanks

Martin Butzer (Bucer) was a German Protestant reformer based in Strasbourg. He was originally a member of the Dominican Order but after meeting and being influenced by Martin Luther in 1518 he had his monastic vows annulled and began to work for the Reformation with the support of Franz von Sickingen. He acted as mediator between Martin Luther and Huldrych Zwingli who differed on the doctrine of the Eucharist. He believed that the Catholics in the Holy Roman Empire could join the Reformation. He tried to unite Protestants and Catholics to create a German national church separate from Rome.He hoped for ecumenism between the two of them but it resulted in his excommunication from his Catholic church in Wissembourg. and him having to flee to Strasbourg. Under duress in 1548 he signed the Augsburg Interim -which imposed certain forms of Catholic worship while he continued to promote reforms in Strasbourg. .This resulted in him having to leave. In 1549 he was exiled in England under the guidance of Thomas Cranmer… He died in Cambridge in 1551 aged 59. H His writings influenced Lutheran. Calvinist and Anglican doctrines and practices. He is remembered as an early pioneer of ecumenism. (Notes on Franz von Sickingen (1481-1523) included) Sources Wikipedia 70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks

Heinrich was the successor to Huldrych Zwingli. He became the head of the Church of Zurich and pastor at the Grossmunster. Aged 11 he was sent to St. Martin’ s Latin school. His father refused to pay for his food so his son had to beg for bread for 3 years -this was so his son would learn/have empathy with the poor. Aged 14 he went to the University of Cologne. Aged 19 exposed to Reformation teaching and was converted to Protestantism. Aged 18 (1522), now a follower of Martin Luther, earned a MA, and ceased to receive the Eucharist. 1523-8 taught at a Cistercian monastery Kappel Abbey. In 1529 married Anna Adlischweiler. They had 11 children, 5 girls and 6 boys. 5 of the boys became Protestant ministers. 1528-31 in Hausen took up a part time preaching position. In 1529 his father renounced Roman Catholicism and Heinrich was chosen to replace his father as the new Reform minister in Bremgarten… He preached 4 sermons each week and held a daily, well attended bible study. at 3 pm. His father officially married his mother in a reform ceremony in Bremgarten. His ministry in Zurich began in 1531 and continued until his death in 1575. His main theological work was the * Dekaden *or The Decades which is a compilation of 50 sermons There are about 12,000 letters in existence from or to Heinrich. Heinrich was one of the most important leaders of the Swiss Reformation. He co-authored the Helvetic Confessions and collaborated with John Calvin to work out a Reformed doctrine of the Last Supper/ Eucharist. Sources Wikipedia 70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks

Philip Melanchthon, born Philip Schwartzerdt, was a leading Lutheran Reformer and collaborator with Martin Luther - and his successor. Philip was the first systematic (thorough and efficient) theologian of the Protestant Reformation. He was an intellectual leader of the Reformation and an influential designer of the educational system. He was also a poet. He stands next to Martin Luther and John Calvin as a reformer, theologian and shaper of Protestantism.s Wikipedia gives the reader 12 pages of notes to read. Philip laid great stress upon prayer, daily meditation on the Bible and attendance of public service. Sources Wikipedia 70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks

Cedd was a bishop in Northumberland. He was an evangelist of the Middle Angles and East Saxons in England. He was a significant participant in the synod of Whitby, a meeting which resolved important differences within the Church of England. He founded many churches and monasteries. Sources Wikipedia 70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks

Palladius was the first bishop of the Christians of Ireland, preceding Saint Patrick. He was a deacon and member of one of the prominent families in Gaul (France). Pope Celestine 1 consecrated him a bishop and sent him to Ireland to the Scotti believing in Christ It is possible that the life stories of Palladius and Saint Patrick became conflated (muddled) since they were alive about the same time. Palladius was born first. Source Wikipedia

Constantine Flavius Valerius Constantinus was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. He was a Roman emperor from AD 306-337 (alone from 19th September 324 after defeating Maxentius and Licinius and ending the civil war). He played a pivotal role in elevating the status of Christianity in Rome by decriminalizing Christian practice and ceasing Christian persecution in a period referred as the Constantinian shift. This initiated the Christianization of the Roman Empire. He spent much of his life as a pagan. Sources differ on when he was baptised 2 sources suggest In 312 he became a Christian and was baptised by either Eusebius of Nicomedia or Pope Sylvester1. Another source suggests he was baptised just before he died. In 313 he played an influential role in the proclamation of the Edict of Milan which declared tolerance for Christianity in the Roman Empire. In 321 he legislated that the venerable Sunday should be a day of rest for all citizens In 325 he convoked the First Council Nicaea - result the Nicene Creed. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built in Jerusalem on his orders and declared to be the holiest place in all Christendom. Before Constantine fought Maxentius in 324 he is said, by Lactantius, to have had a dream. He was told to put the Greek letters Chi Rho, Christ’s initials, on the shields. He won the battle. ( Read Constantine adopts the Greek Letters Chi Rho for Christ’s initials) The Historiography I have included has different historians rating the greatness of Constantine. They come to different conclusions. I am not an historian -read their thoughts and come to your own conclusion. Nevertheless he is venerated as a saint in Eastern Christianity, and he did much to push Christianity toward the mainstream of Roman culture Wikipedia Sources Wikipedia 70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks

Tertullian was born in Carthage, modern Tunis in North Africa about 160 AD. He was fluent in Greek and Latin. He moved to Rome where he practiced as a lawyer He became a Christian about 195 AD and he began to use his legal and writing skills to champion his new faith. At some point he returned to Carthage and threw himself into the life of his local church as a layman who taught and occasionally preached. Several of his writings, that remain, are in sermon form. He acted as the church’s spokesperson against the heresies within Christendom. At some point he joined the Montanists - an ascetic break-away group. Over 36 treatises are attributed to his name. His style of writing earned him the title 'the fierce Tertullian - he wrote with zeal and passion He was one of a group of second century writers known as ‘apologists’ who on intellectual grounds put together s defence for Christianity. Up to this point believers had suffered without protests. Apologists countered by explaining the case for Christianity and refuting the false charges against them. He was the first to use certain terminology ** New Testament, penitence, resurrection, sacrament, Trinity Tertullian is remembered as the most prolific Christian writer of the second century and the major theologian of the West until the time of Augustine in the fourth century. 70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks Sources Wikipedia 70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks

Saint Francis was a friar and founder of Order of Minims. His parents were pious: they prayed for years, through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, for a son. As a child he showed a preference for abstinence and prayer. Aged 13 he was placed in a convent and was taught to read. He abstained from wearing linen or eating meat. Aged 14 he went on a pilgrimage with his parents to the Portiuncula at Assisi and then on to Rome. Aged just 15 he became a hermit. He made a cave and stayed alone for 6 years devoting himself to prayer and self-mortification… In 1436, aged now 20, he was joined by 2 other devoutly inclined persons. 3 cells and a chapel was built by local people. The 3 sang divine prayers every day in the chapel. A priest from the village celebrated mass with them. This marked the beginning of the order Hermits of Saint Francis of Assisi. Within 17 years the numbers had grown. In 1454 a large monastery and church were sanctioned by the Archbishop of Cosenza. Francis and his companions sought to live unknown and hidden from the world. To the 3 rules of Evangelical council - poverty, chastity and obedience they added fasting for Lent. On May17th 1474 Pope Sixtus IV gave his approval to the order. On July 28th 1506 Pope Julius 11 simplified the name of the community to Order of the Minims. Saint Francis died at Piessis on April 2nd aged 91 The order soon spread to France, Germany and Spain and continues to exist today. minims -meaning - least of the faithful – many at the beginning were laypersons not priests Sources Wikipedia The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

I was thinking of creating some junior material about Mary Seacole when I found National Geographic For Kids had already created this resource. See also notes on Kofoworota Abeni Pratt - first black Nigerian nurse in NHS

Eugenia’s feast is celebrated on Christmas Day, December 25th. Her legend states that she was converted by and martyred with Protus and Hyacinth, her Chamberlains, during the persecution of Valerian. She is said to have been the daughter of Philip, ‘duke’ of Alexandria and governor of Egypt. . She fled her father’s house dressed as a man and was baptised by Helenus the bishop of Heliopolis. Dressed.as a man she became an abbot One of the stories tells of her curing a woman of an illness who made sexually advances towards her, which she rebuffed, while dressed as a man. She was accused of adultery. It went to trial. Her own father was the judge. In court she was exonerated when her true identity was revealed. Her father converted to the faith and became bishop of Alexandria. The emperor had him executed. Eugenia and the rest of the family fled to Rome but this did not prevent their martyrdom. Protus and Hyacinth were beheaded on September 11th AD 258. Eugenia, after Christ had appeared to her in a dream, was told she would die on the Feast of the Nativity. She was beheaded on Christmas Day, December 25th AD 258. Sources Wikipedia The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

Saint Florin was a Roman soldier who advanced through the ranks to commander. He also was responsible for organizing and leading firefighting brigades. He was a Christian who did not enforce proscription ( public identification and official condemnation of enemies of the state) of Christians in his territory. Aquilinus was sent to investigate these reports. He refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods and he was sentenced to be burned at the stake. Standing on the funeral pyre he is reputed to have said, If you wish to know that I am not afraid of your torture, light the fire, and in the name of the Lord I will climb onto it. The apprehensive soldiers decided to drown him instead. They drowned him in the Enns River with a millstone around his neck. ( See painting by Albrecht Altdorfer) The name ‘Florin’ is given to many boys in Bavaria and Austria to secure the saint’s patronage against fire. Saint Florin is the patron saint of Poland and Austria. He is also celebrated in Hungary. Sources Wikipedia The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

There are two Christians called Erasmus in the history of Christianity Saint Elmo is venerated as the patron saint of sailors and abdominal pain. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. He was Bishop of Formia, Italy, during the persecution of Christians by emperors Diocletian and Maximian Hercules. He went to Mount Libabus where he hid for 7 years. An angel counseled him to return to the city. The Acts of Saint Elmo compiled from Legends tell us that on his way back to the city he met some soldiers who questioned him. He admitted to being a Christian. He faced Diocletian. He was bound with chains and thrown into prison- an angel helped him escape. He continued to confess his faith and Maximian had him enclosed in a barrel with protruding spikes and rolled down the hill - an angel intervened. He must eventually have died a cruel martyr’s death A number of unreliable legends fill Erasmus’ story. Sources Wikipedia

Desiderius Erasmas Roterodamus is considered to be one of the most influential thinkers of the Northern Renaissance because of his vast number of translations, books, essays, prayers and letters. He was one of the major figures of Dutch and Western culture. His medieval Dutch childhood ended in him being orphaned and impoverished. He went to Paris, Queen’s College Cambridge and Turin universities. He wrote in a spontaneous, copious and natural Latin style. He prepared new Latin and Greek scholarly editions of the New Testament with annotations and commentary. He wrote a vast number of books.(See list of Books by Erasmus) *His influential middle road approach disappointed, and even angered, partisans, in both camps. He remained a member of the Catholic church all his life, remaining committed to reforming the church from within. Sources Wikipedia

The story of Dymphna and her friends was first recorded in the 13th century after their bodies were discovered. Oral Tradition says Dymphna’s father, Damon, was a petty king of Oriel in Ireland ; her mother was a devout Christian. When she was 14 years of age she consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of chastity. Her father’s mental health deteriorated when his wife died. His counsellors pressed him to remarry. He agreed on the condition the new wife looked like his first wife. Searching proved fruitless and he began to desire his daughter because of her resemblance to her mother. The daughter learned of his intentions and fled the court with her confessor Father Gerebemus , two trusted servants and the king’s fool. They went to Gheel (now Geel) in Belgium. Tradition says she built a hospice for the poor and sick in Geel. Her father’s agents eventually found her. Damon had Gerebemus killed. She refused to return so he drew his sword and struck off his 15 year old daughter’s head. Residents initially buried the two friends in a nearby cave; later moved to a more suitable location. 1349, nearly 700 years later, a church honouring Dymphna was built in Geel. By 1480 pilgrims were coming from all over Europe seeking treatment for psychiatric disorders. This tradition is still on going. Patients are called ‘boarders’. They become part of the community.It has continued for over 500 years. ( Read paragraph which begins with In 1349 for more information.) Dymphna w as beheaded on May 30th. The year of her death is uncertain. Dymphna is the Patron saint for the insane. Sources Wikipedia Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

Edmund Campion died a martyr because his conscience was unable to accept the offer of freedom he was offered by the 3 privy councilors while being held in the Tower of London for treason… He was happy to accept Elizabeth 1 as queen but unable, in good conscience, accept the validity of the Anglican Church. In his Decern Rationes ( Ten Reasons) he explained his arguments against the validity of the Anglican Church. He had been educated in England at Oxford University. In 1564 he had received Holy Orders as a deacon in the Anglican Church but inwardly he took a remorse of conscience and detestation of mind. Religious difficulties arose. He moved to Ireland (1569-1570) where he helped establish the University of Dublin. He moved to Douai (1571-1573) in the Low Countries (France) where he was reconciled to the Catholic Church. He gained his Bachelor of Divinity degree while hr taught rhetoric. He received minor orders after this and was ordained sub-deacon. He travelled, on foot, as a pilgrim, to Rome in 1573 to join the Jesuits as a novice. In Prague (1573-1580) he was ordained a deacon and priest. For 6 years years he was professor of rhetoric and philosophy.E In 1580 the mission to England began badly. Before they left they learned that a letter detailing the mission had been intercepted. Edmund, in the guise of a jewel merchant.arrived in London on 24th June 1580. His presence soon became known but he began his task of administering the sacrament and preaching. In Norfolk, on 15th July, he was captured by George Eliot, a spy, and taken to London. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Interrogated. 14 th November indicted 20th November found guilty 1st December hung, drawn and quartered ( This is his Feast Day) Edmund was 41 years of age 23 educational institutions are named after him. Sources Wikipedia Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton