May 16

Lambert of Arras served as bishop in the region of Arras, overseeing ecclesiastical affairs during a time of reform within the Catholic Church. He was responsible for pastoral duties, clergy discipline, and the administration of his diocese. His tenure coincided with broader Church efforts to address simony and enforce clerical celibacy. Historical records note his contributions to strengthening local monastic communities. He died in 1115, remembered for his dedication to ecclesiastical governance.

Simon Stock was a 13th-century Carmelite friar who served as the order's prior general, guiding its growth in England and France. According to tradition, he received a vision of the Virgin Mary, who gave him the Brown Scapular as a sign of protection. This event popularized the scapular devotion, which remains central to Carmelite spirituality today. He was celebrated for his piety, administrative leadership, and commitment to monastic reform. Simon Stock died in 1265 and was later canonized for his enduring influence on Christian devotional practices.

Andrew Bobola (1591-1657) was a Polish Jesuit priest and missionary dedicated to serving Christian communities across the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Born in Maurzyce, he entered the Society of Jesus at age 18 and devoted his life to pastoral work and conversion efforts. During the Khmelnytsky Uprising, Bobola was captured by Cossack forces and subjected to brutal torture before dying a martyr's death on May 16, 1657. His unwavering faith under persecution led to his beatification in 1853 and canonization in 1938 by Pope Pius XI. Bobola's relics are enshrined in Warsaw, and he is venerated as the patron saint of compassion and steadfast belief.

Henslow served as Professor of Botany at Cambridge University while fulfilling duties as a parish priest. He ignited Darwin’s passion for natural history through field excursions and guided study. His innovative approach to teaching combined hands-on observation with rigorous taxonomy. Henslow’s research on plant distribution laid foundations for biogeography. He corresponded with leading scientists across Europe, shaping 19th-century scientific networks. His mentorship and scholarship left a lasting imprint on evolutionary theory.

Moshe Levinger was born in Jerusalem in 1935 and was ordained as an Orthodox rabbi. In 1968, he helped establish the first Jewish settlement in Hebron and later founded Kiryat Arba, shaping the modern settlement movement. He co-founded Gush Emunim in the aftermath of the Six-Day War and became a leading voice advocating for Jewish communities in the West Bank. Levinger was involved in high-profile events and legal battles over settlement activity, making him a controversial figure in Israeli society. He authored works on Jewish law and Zionist ideology, influencing religious and political thought. Throughout his life, Levinger remained committed to his vision of Jewish presence in biblical heartlands. He passed away on May 16, 2015, leaving a complex and enduring legacy in Israeli politics and religious activism.

Domingos Maubere was born in 1952 in East Timor. Ordained as a Catholic priest, he combined his religious vocation with a deep commitment to human rights and political activism. During the Indonesian occupation of East Timor, he provided spiritual support and humanitarian aid to displaced communities. Maubere was instrumental in organizing grassroots movements that advocated for self-determination and social welfare. After independence was achieved, he continued to work on reconciliation and development projects, focusing on education and healthcare. His leadership earned him widespread respect among both religious and secular communities. Maubere passed away in 2025, leaving a legacy of faith-driven activism and service to his nation.