April 12

Today is the feast day of Saint Zeno of Verona, who was born in North Africa and served as bishop of Verona. He died on this day in 371. Some of his sermons survived him, and give insight into the theology of this period. He is the patron saint of fishing, and is often depicted with a fishing pole.

Today marks the death, in 1988, of Alan Paton, the author of Cry, the Beloved Country who also worked for prison reform and fought against apartheid in South Africa. On several occasions his family had to go into hiding for their activism.

Today also marks the death, in 1912, of Clara Barton, who worked both as a teacher and a nurse and established the American Red Cross. She was also an activist for both Black civil rights and women’s suffrage. 

Today also marks the death, in 2006, of William Sloane Coffin, a Presbyterian and United Church of Christ pastor who was also a peace activist. He helped organize Freedom Rides and worked for nuclear disarmament. 

Today is the birthday, in 1937, of Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement. He was involved in the protest occupations of Alcatraz, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Wounded Knee. You can read his own account of the beginning of AIM here. 

Reflection: 

Zeno of Verona wrote the following on the virtue of patience: 

Alan Paton wrote: 

and

Prayer: Great Mystery whose hands hold the future, we may not be optimistic, but we have hope. Help our love to overcome our morbid preoccupation with the shortcomings of our society. Amen.