January 20

Wulfstan (circa 1008–1095) served as Bishop of Worcester from 1062. He was one of the few English bishops to retain his position after the Norman Conquest. Known for his deep piety, he championed the care of the poor and orphans in his diocese. He participated in the compilation of the Domesday Book, contributing to land assessments. He is remembered for his moral writings and efforts to reform clergy discipline.

St Henry (died 1156) was an English-born cleric who became Bishop of Uppsala in present-day Sweden. He journeyed to Finland to evangelize pagan communities and establish Christian congregations. According to tradition, he was killed by a local peasant named Lalli, making him a martyr in Finnish lore. He is honored as the patron saint of Finland, with his legacy celebrated in churches across the country. His life inspired medieval chronicles and continues to be central to Finnish ecclesiastical history.

Born around 1488 in Yorkshire, Myles Coverdale became a monk before embracing Protestant reforms. He compiled and published the Coverdale Bible in 1535, the first full printed translation of the Bible into English. As Bishop of Exeter, he navigated the religious turmoil of the Reformation under Henry VIII. Coverdale's translation laid the groundwork for subsequent English Bibles, including the King James Version. He died in 1568, and his work remains a milestone in the history of the English language and faith.

Isaac Ambrose was born in 1604 in Lancashire and educated at Cambridge University. He served as a parish rector and became renowned for his Puritan sermons and spiritual guidance. Ambrose authored influential devotional texts, including 'Looking Unto Jesus,' which emphasized personal piety and reflection. His writings enjoyed popularity among nonconformist communities even after the Restoration. Ambrose died in 1663, leaving a lasting impact on English religious literature.

François de la Chaise (1624–1709) served as the royal confessor to King Louis XIV for over four decades. His guidance influenced the moral and spiritual life of the French court during the Sun King’s reign. He played a key role in mediating relations between the monarchy and the Catholic Church. De la Chaise was noted for his pastoral care and discreet counsel on matters of state and faith. In Paris, the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery is named in his honor, cementing his legacy. His commitment to Jesuit principles left a lasting impact on 17th-century religious and courtly life.

Born in Laigné-en-Belin in 1799, Basil Moreau was ordained in 1821 and dedicated his life to missionary work and education. He established the Society of Auxiliary Priests in 1835, which merged into the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1837. Under his leadership, the order founded numerous educational institutions, including the University of Notre Dame in the United States. Moreau emphasized service to the poor and formation of clergy committed to social outreach. He was declared Venerable by the Catholic Church and died on January 20, 1873, leaving a global educational legacy.

Stéphanos II Ghattas (1920-2009) served as the Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria from 1986 until his death. Born Antonios Ghattas in Egypt, he was ordained a priest in 1946 and later became bishop of Luxor. As patriarch, he championed ecumenical dialogue and interfaith cooperation, strengthening ties between Christian denominations and wider Egyptian society. He oversaw the expansion of church institutions, including schools and hospitals, to serve the faithful and the needy. A key figure in implementing Second Vatican Council reforms, he emphasized pastoral care and education. His tenure was marked by efforts to preserve Coptic Catholic heritage and promote peaceful coexistence. Ghattas was remembered for his humility, deep spirituality, and service-oriented leadership.