February 27

Ruprecht (1427–1480) was appointed Archbishop of Cologne in 1463 and held the prestigious seat of a prince-elector. He managed the church's extensive territories and navigated the complex politics of the Holy Roman Empire. Known for his administrative reforms, he strengthened financial oversight within his archbishopric. Ruprecht also supported religious institutions and fostered connections with other European rulers. His tenure reflects the intertwining of spiritual authority and secular power in late medieval Germany.

Born in 1732 in Rennes, Jean de Dieu-Raymond de Cucé de Boisgelin rose quickly through ecclesiastical ranks. As Archbishop of Aix and later Tours, he advocated for clerical reform and education. He participated in the Estates-General of 1789, supporting constitutional changes while defending church interests. Boisgelin opposed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and emigrated during the height of the Revolution. Returning to France after Napoleon’s rise, he resumed his duties and supported concordat negotiations. His writings and sermons influenced both religious thought and political discourse in post-Revolutionary France.

Jean-Charles Cornay was born in 1809 in France and joined the Paris Foreign Missions Society. He traveled to Vietnam to evangelize during a period of persecution against Christians. Cornay was arrested for his missionary activities and sentenced to death. His steadfast faith and willingness to face martyrdom inspired other missionaries. Canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, he died in 1837 and remains honored for his sacrifice.

Kotama Okada was a Japanese religious leader who founded the spiritual practice known as Mahikari. Born in 1901, he taught a system of faith emphasizing universal love and purification. Okada claimed to transmit spiritual light to heal physical and mental ailments. He established the organization Sukyo Mahikari, attracting followers worldwide. Under his guidance, Mahikari centers spread to numerous countries. Okada authored spiritual writings on ethics and human development. He left a legacy of interfaith dialogue and spiritual community building.

Born in Belarus in 1903 to a distinguished rabbinic family. Emigrated to the United States in 1932 and served as Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University for over four decades. Authored seminal works including 'The Lonely Man of Faith' and 'Halakhic Man'. Bridged traditional Jewish thought with contemporary Western philosophy. Influenced generations of students and scholars in Jewish law and ethics. Left a lasting legacy in Jewish education and religious philosophy.

Born in the Kingdom of Serbia in 1907 and ordained as an Orthodox priest. Served as a commander of Chetnik guerrilla forces under Draža Mihailović. Engaged in resistance against Axis occupation and complex internal conflicts. Accused of collaboration with Italian and German authorities in pursuit of anti-communist goals. Emigrated to the United States after the war and continued priestly duties in exile. Died in 1999, remaining a controversial figure in Yugoslav history.

Roger Mahony became the fifth Archbishop of Los Angeles in 1985 and was elevated to Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1991. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1962 after studying at St. John's Seminary. He served as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, guiding church policy on social justice and education. During his tenure, Mahony oversaw significant growth of the church in Southern California and prioritized community outreach. Known for his collaborative leadership, he shaped national church initiatives and strengthened ties with diverse communities. Mahony retired in 2011 and remains a prominent figure in American Catholicism.

Born in 1950, Julia Neuberger became one of Britain's first female rabbis, ordained in 1975. She has chaired governmental committees on poverty, ethics, and public health policy. Appointed a life peer in 2004, she sits in the House of Lords as an independent crossbencher. Neuberger founded charities focused on social care, interfaith dialogue, and community development. She lectures at universities and writes extensively on religion, ethics, and social justice. Her leadership bridges religious guidance and civic engagement across the United Kingdom.

Born in 1951, Carl A. Anderson earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame and practiced as an attorney. He was elected Supreme Knight in 2000, leading the Knights of Columbus, one of the world's largest Catholic service organizations. Under his leadership, the order expanded charitable programs supporting families, disaster relief, and education. Anderson authored books on Catholic social teaching and faith-based philanthropy. He served three terms before retiring in 2021, overseeing significant membership growth and outreach. He remains active in lecturing and consulting on religious, ethical, and community service issues.