January 02

William de St-Calais (died 1096) was a Norman Benedictine monk who became Bishop of Durham in 1080. He served as a close adviser and chief counsellor to King William II (William Rufus), shaping royal policy and administration. Calais played a key role in the development of the English exchequer and ecclesiastical law. He was involved in the investiture controversy, famously refusing to appear before court when summoned by the king. After a trial and brief exile, he reconciled with the crown but died soon after returning to his diocese. His career illustrates the tensions between church autonomy and royal authority in Norman England.

Lodomer (died 1298) was a Hungarian prelate who held the position of Archbishop of Esztergom from 1279. He became a leading adviser to King Ladislaus IV and played a central role in royal governance. Lodomer mediated conflicts between powerful noble families, striving to maintain stability in the kingdom. He supported reforms in the Hungarian church and strengthened ties with the papacy. His tenure was marked by diplomatic missions and efforts to defend Christian interests against external threats. Lodomer's leadership helped shape the political and spiritual life of medieval Hungary.

Heinrich Reuß von Plauen (died 1470) was the 30th Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. He governed the military religious order during a period of decline and conflict with the Kingdom of Poland. Plauen attempted to strengthen the order's finances and fortify its Prussian territories. He led military expeditions against Polish forces but suffered defeats that weakened the order's influence. His tenure saw increased internal dissent and challenges to his authority within the order. Plauen's rule highlighted the declining power of the Teutonic Knights in late medieval Europe.

William Smyth (c.1460–1514) was an English academic and cleric who became Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, and later Bishop of Lincoln. A chaplain to Lady Margaret Beaufort, he played a key role in the education of Prince Henry, the future Henry VIII. In 1509 he co-founded Brasenose College, Oxford, leaving an endowment that shaped the college's early growth. Smyth was known for his administrative skill, building projects, and patronage of learning. He balanced his duties as a bishop with his commitment to university reform. His contributions to both church and academia left a lasting legacy in Tudor England.

Born into Spanish nobility in 1566, Luisa Carvajal y Mendoza embraced a mystical spirituality early in life. Rejecting a comfortable court existence, she traveled to England to minister to oppressed Catholics. Her mystical poems and letters express profound religious devotion and poetic fervor. Despite persecution and imprisonment for her secret missionary work, she remained steadfast in her faith. Luisa’s writings influenced both Spanish and English Catholic circles, offering a rare female mystical voice of her era. She died of illness amid her mission in 1614 and is remembered as a symbol of courage and piety.

Born in 1959 in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, Nimr al-Nimr studied Islamic theology in Iran and Syria. He emerged as a vocal critic of the Saudi government, calling for political reform and equal rights for the Shia minority. During the 2011 Arab Spring, he led peaceful protests in the Qatif region and spoke against government crackdowns. Arrested multiple times, he was sentenced to death in 2014 for charges related to his activism. His execution in January 2016 sparked international condemnation and heightened sectarian tensions in the Middle East. Al-Nimr's teachings continue to inspire human rights advocates across the Gulf.

Thomas S. Monson served as the 16th president of the LDS Church from 2008 until his passing in 2018. Born in Salt Lake City in 1927, he dedicated his life to ecclesiastical service, missionary work, and humanitarian efforts around the world. Before his presidency, Monson held key leadership positions including counselor in the First Presidency and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for over four decades. He authored numerous inspirational books and messages focused on service, faith, and charity. His tenure saw a significant expansion of church temples and a deepened emphasis on personal ministering and global outreach. Beloved for his warmth and compassion, Monson left a lasting legacy in both his religious community and humanitarian initiatives.