September 01

Born in 1577, Scipione Borghese was elevated to cardinal at age 16 by his uncle, Pope Paul V. A passionate patron of the arts, he commissioned works from Bernini and acquired masterpieces by Caravaggio. He built the Villa Borghese, which housed his extensive collection of classical sculptures and Renaissance paintings. His curatorial vision shaped one of the world’s finest art collections until his death in 1633.

Born in 1579, John Frederick was elected Prince-Bishop of Bremen, balancing secular rule with ecclesiastical duties. His tenure coincided with the early years of the Thirty Years’ War, forcing him to negotiate between Protestant and Catholic powers. He worked to maintain Catholic influence in his territories and engaged in diplomatic missions. He died in 1634 amid the turmoil of Europe’s largest religious conflict.

Maria Angela Astorch was born in Barcelona and entered the Carmelite order at age nine. She became known for her deep mystical experiences and devotion to prayer within the convent. Astorch cared for her fellow nuns during plague outbreaks and ministered to the sick in her community. Her writings on spiritual instruction influenced later Carmelite practice. Canonized in 1926, she is venerated as a model of contemplative life and charity.

Born in 1871 in Grantsville, Utah Territory. Graduated from Columbia Law School and joined the U.S. State Department under President Herbert Hoover. As Under Secretary of State in the early 1930s, he helped shape American foreign policy during the Great Depression. In 1933, he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church and later served as a counselor in the First Presidency. A prolific writer and speaker, he contributed to both legal scholarship and religious teachings until his death in 1961.

Born Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta in Kolkata in 1896, he became the disciple of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and adopted the name A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In 1965, he traveled to New York City and established the first ISKCON temple in 1966, sharing Krishna conscious principles globally. He translated and provided commentary on essential Vedic texts, notably the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, making them accessible to Western audiences. Under his guidance, hundreds of temples, farm communities, and schools were founded. Prabhupada’s teachings fostered interfaith dialogue and enduring devotional practices worldwide.

Born on September 1, 1948, in Stara Wieś, Poland, Życiński studied philosophy and theology during the communist era. He earned doctorates in both fields and became a professor at institutions including the Catholic University of Lublin. Ordained a priest in 1971, he was consecrated Archbishop of Lublin in 1997 and later served as Archbishop of Gniezno. His scholarly work explored metaphysics, ethics and the interplay of science and religion, publishing numerous essays and books. A respected voice in the Polish Church, he participated in papal councils on culture and education. Życiński's legacy endures in his efforts to bridge academic philosophy with pastoral ministry until his death in 2011.