Margaret Ward was born in Congleton, Cheshire, in Northwest England, around 1550. Not much is known about Ward's early life, except that, as the Catholic Encyclopedia states, "she was of a good family" and was described as a gentlewoman. According to hagiographer Alban Butler, Ward was a victim of the renewed persecution in England at the time, during the reign of Elizabeth I....

The second person mentioned in the Martyrology for August 31 is St. Bonajuncta, one of the seven men who founded the Servite Order, the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He died while preaching to his brothers on the Passion of Our Savior. All seven of them are remembered as a group on the 12th day of February. St. Bonajuncta is also remembered on August 31, the day of his heavenly birthday.

Jeanne Jugan (October 25, 1792 – August 29, 1879), also known as Sister Mary of the Cross, L.S.P., was a French woman who became known for the dedication of her life to the neediest of the elderly poor. Her service resulted in the establishment of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who care for the elderly who have no other resources throughout the world. She has been declared a saint by...

Edmund Ignatius Rice, (1 June 1762 – 29 August 1844), was a Catholic missionary and educationalist. He was the founder of two religious institutes of religious brothers: the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers. Rice was born in Ireland at a time when Catholics faced oppression under Penal Laws enforced by the British authorities, though reforms began in 1778...

Saint Edmund Arrowsmith, also known as Brian Arrowsmith, Edmund Bradshaw, and Edmund Rigby, was born in 1585 in Haydock, Lancashire, England. He was the son of Robert Arrowsmith, a farmer, and Margery Gerard Arrowsmith. Raised in a devout Catholic family, Saint Edmund's parents rebelled against attending Protestant services and often harbored Catholic priests in their home. As a result of...