November 14

John Eudes was born in 1601 in Normandy, France. Ordained in 1624, he dedicated his life to missionary work and the spiritual education of the faithful. In 1645, he founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, known as the Eudists, to train priests and promote devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. His writings and pastoral missions had a lasting impact on Catholic spirituality. Canonized in 1925, he is celebrated for his compassionate ministry and reform efforts within the French Church. He died in 1680, revered as a saint and founder of an enduring religious institute.

John Curwen was an English minister and innovator in music education best known for inventing the tonic sol-fa method. Born in Yorkshire, he became a Congregationalist pastor before dedicating his life to teaching music to children and communities. Curwen founded the Tonic Sol-Fa Association and published the “Tonic Sol-fa Manual,” which simplified music reading. His method used syllables (do, re, mi) and hand signs to teach pitch and sight-singing effectively. He edited and contributed to “The Music Teacher” journal, promoting accessible music instruction. Curwen’s lectures and workshops spread across Britain and North America, transforming choral training. He advocated for musical literacy as a universal right, emphasizing community singing. Curwen’s work laid the foundation for modern music pedagogy and choral societies worldwide.

Hunter served in the church’s First Presidency for over two decades, known for his counsel on family and service. Elected church president in June 1994 at age 86, he led with a focus on temple building and community outreach. His presidency, though brief, emphasized compassion and doctrinal teaching during a period of global growth. A former lawyer in Hawaii, he brought organizational skills and legal insight to church administration. Hunter’s leadership inspired members worldwide until his passing in March 1995.

Philip Egan (born November 14, 1955, in Manchester, England) is an English prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained in 1982 and served in parishes across the Dioceses of Shrewsbury and Westminster. He earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. In 2012, he was appointed the tenth Bishop of Portsmouth, where he oversees pastoral care, clergy assignments and educational initiatives. Bishop Egan is known for his work in safeguarding, vocational promotion and dialogue with ecumenical and interfaith communities. He continues to advocate for social justice and the role of the Church in modern society.