October 02

Born in 1538 into the noble Borromeo family, Charles studied canon law at the universities of Pavia and Bologna. Elevated to cardinal by his uncle Pope Pius IV, he became Archbishop of Milan in 1564 and passionately implemented the decrees of the Council of Trent. He founded seminaries to improve clerical training and authored spiritual works aimed at deepening the faith of priests and laity. During the plague of Milan in 1576, he organized relief efforts and personally tended to the sick, earning widespread admiration. Canonized in 1610, his reforms and pastoral zeal left a lasting impact on the Catholic Church.

Swami Abhedananda was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and played a key role in spreading Vedanta philosophy. He traveled extensively in the West, establishing Vedanta societies in the United States and Europe. His lectures and writings made Hindu spiritual concepts accessible to Western audiences. He authored numerous books on Vedanta, yoga, and comparative religion. His lifelong devotion fostered cross-cultural spiritual exchange and influenced seekers worldwide.

Born in 1905, Franjo Šeper was ordained a priest and rose through the ranks of the Roman Catholic Church to become Archbishop of Zagreb and later a cardinal. Appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1968, he oversaw the Church's teaching authority during and after the Second Vatican Council. Cardinal Šeper played a key role in clarifying doctrine and navigating theological debates of the era. His leadership helped shape modern Catholic teaching and preserved doctrinal consistency amid rapid change. He passed away in 1981, leaving a legacy of theological scholarship and ecclesiastical governance.

Robert Runcie was the Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the Church of England from 1980 to 1991. He advocated for social justice, ecumenical dialogue, and modern pastoral care in a rapidly changing society. Runcie navigated controversies within the Anglican Communion, promoting unity across theological and cultural divides. He presided over national ceremonies and state occasions, including royal events and funerals. Renowned for his warmth and intellectual rigor, Runcie left a lasting legacy in religious leadership and community engagement.