March 19

Born in 1488, Johannes Magnus rose to become the Archbishop of Uppsala, leading the Catholic Church in Sweden. He authored influential works on Swedish history, including the 'History of the Nordic People', blending legend with scholarship. After the Protestant Reformation reached Sweden, he was deposed and spent his later years in exile in Rome. Magnus’s writings provided a patriotic narrative of Sweden’s past and influenced early modern national identity. He died in 1544, leaving a legacy as both a church leader and historian.

Born in 1534 on the Canary Islands, José de Anchieta joined the Society of Jesus and traveled to Brazil in 1553. He mastered the indigenous Tupi language and authored the first grammar of the language. Anchieta co-founded key colonial settlements, including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and worked tirelessly to mediate conflicts between colonists and native peoples. Renowned for his writings, poetry, and evangelizing efforts, he earned the title 'Apostle of Brazil'. Anchieta was beatified in 1980 and canonized in 2014, celebrated for his cultural bridges and missionary zeal.

Elias Hicks was born in 1748 on Long Island, New York, and emerged as a prominent minister in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). He championed the concept of the Inner Light, emphasizing personal spiritual revelation over formal creed and ritual. Hicks traveled extensively, preaching simplicity, peace, and egalitarian principles across the eastern United States. His views sparked a major schism in the Quaker community in 1827, leading to the formation of the Hicksites and Orthodox Quakers. Hicks also spoke out against slavery and defended the rights of Native Americans. His advocacy for individual conscience and social reform left a lasting impact on American religious thought.

David Livingstone was born in 1813 in Blantyre, Scotland, and trained as a medical missionary before traveling to southern Africa in 1841. He worked among the Tswana people while undertaking exploratory journeys into the continent's interior. Livingstone became the first European to witness Victoria Falls in 1855 and charted vast regions of Central Africa, including the Zambezi River. His vivid accounts of the African slave trade helped galvanize the British anti-slavery movement. Although he never found the Nile's source, his expeditions opened new routes for subsequent explorers. Livingstone died in 1873 while on an expedition in present-day Zambia; his body was carried to the coast and returned to Britain for burial. His blend of missionary zeal and scientific curiosity made him a lasting symbol of Victorian exploration.

Born in Sursee, Switzerland in 1928, Hans Küng became one of the most influential Catholic theologians of the 20th century. He served as a peritus at the Second Vatican Council, contributing to its reforms on liturgy and religious freedom. Küng’s groundbreaking work questioned the infallibility of the Pope, leading to a high-profile conflict with the Vatican and his eventual loss of the Church’s canonical license to teach Catholic theology in 1979. Undeterred, he founded the Global Ethic Foundation to promote interreligious dialogue and ethical responsibility worldwide. Author of over 100 books translated into multiple languages, his scholarship bridged faith and modern thought until his death in 2021.

Born in Omaha, Blase J. Cupich was ordained in 1973 and spent years in pastoral and academic roles, teaching theology. He served as Bishop of Rapid City beginning in 1998 and was appointed Archbishop of Seattle in 2010. In 2014, he became Archbishop of Chicago and was elevated to Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2016. A leading voice on social justice, immigration, and economic equity, Cardinal Cupich sits on the Vatican's Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. His moderate approach and commitment to dialogue have made him an influential figure in the modern Church.

Born in Sogod, Leyte, José S. Palma was ordained a priest in 1975. He was appointed Bishop of Calbayog in 1997 and became Archbishop of Palo in 2006. In 2011, he took charge of the Archdiocese of Cebu, one of the largest in the country, where he has emphasized pastoral care and social outreach. From 2017 to 2019, he served as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, advocating for education, social welfare, and interfaith dialogue. His leadership has strengthened community programs and charitable initiatives across the archdiocese.