April 11

Donus was elected pope in April 676 following the death of Adeodatus II. He recognized the importance of church art and restored ancient basilicas in Rome and Ravenna. He formally revoked earlier prohibitions on the veneration of icons, setting a precedent for later liturgical practices. Donus is credited with improving the administration of church estates and distributing alms to the poor. His brief pontificate lasted only two years, yet he left a legacy of piety and administrative competence. He died in April 678 and was succeeded by Agatho. Although little of his personal correspondence survives, his contributions to church worship endure in historical records.

Herman was appointed Archbishop of Cologne in 890 and held the position until his death in 924. As imperial chancellor, he managed the royal chancery and oversaw charters and correspondence for the Ottonian dynasty. He crowned several German kings, including Arnulf of Carinthia and Louis the Child, playing a key role in legitimizing their rule. Herman advocated for church reforms and defended ecclesiastical interests at court. He was known for his learning and administrative skill, earning respect from both clergy and nobility. His long tenure helped consolidate the power of the Cologne archbishopric as a major spiritual and political center in medieval Germany.

Born around 1030, Stanislaus became Bishop of Kraków in 1072 and quickly gained a reputation for his piety and moral rigor. He clashed with King Bolesław II over the monarch's alleged injustices and favoritism toward secular nobility. In 1079, Stanislaus excommunicated the king, leading to a violent confrontation that ended with the bishop's execution. His death shocked the kingdom and prompted a wave of popular veneration. The Church canonized him in 1253, and he became one of Poland's most important saints and patron figures. Pilgrims visit his shrine on Wawel Hill in Kraków, where miracles were attributed to his intercession. Stanislaus's stand for church rights and justice has made him a symbol of moral integrity in Polish history.

Born around 1375 as the son of John of Gaunt, Henry Beaufort pursued an ecclesiastical career that led to his appointment as Bishop of Lincoln in 1398 and later Bishop of Winchester in 1404. In 1426 he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Martin V, becoming the first Englishman to hold that rank in decades. Beaufort wielded significant political influence as Lord Chancellor under King Henry VI, managing royal finances during the closing phases of the Hundred Years' War. He advocated for church interests at court and was involved in negotiations leading to the Treaty of Troyes. Beaufort also served as regent during the king's minority, reinforcing his status as a key power broker. He founded scholarships and supported the University of Oxford, leaving a lasting educational legacy. Cardinal Beaufort died in 1447, remembered for his dual role as a church leader and statesman.

Edward Wightman (c.1566–1612) was an English Baptist minister executed as a heretic under King James I. Convicted for unconventional religious beliefs, he became the last person in England to be burned at the stake for heresy. His trial in 1612 reflected the era's intense conflicts over doctrine and church authority. Wightman's steadfast refusal to recant marked him as a martyr in the eyes of later dissenters. His death highlighted the brutal measures used to enforce religious conformity in early Stuart England. He is remembered as a symbol of religious dissent and the struggle for freedom of conscience.

Richard Simon (1638–1712) was a French priest and scholar whose critical approach to the Bible established the field of modern biblical criticism. As an Oratorian, he combined theological training with rigorous historical and linguistic analysis of biblical texts. His landmark 'Critical History of the Old Testament' challenged traditional views on authorship and textual integrity. Despite facing censure from church authorities, Simon's work laid the foundation for subsequent generations of exegetes. He also produced significant writings on Oriental languages and ancient manuscripts. He died in 1712, leaving a groundbreaking legacy in both religious scholarship and textual criticism.

John Robinson (1650–1723) served as an English bishop and diplomat, representing the Church of England and the crown abroad. Appointed Bishop of Bristol in 1710, he also acted as envoy to Poland and Denmark during critical European negotiations. Robinson's dual roles enabled him to bridge religious and political spheres at a time of shifting alliances. He contributed to peace talks and trade agreements, enhancing England's influence on the continent. Educated at Cambridge, he was respected for his erudition and devout character. He died in 1723, remembered for both his ecclesiastical leadership and diplomatic achievements.

Born in Amsterdam in 1808 to a Sephardic Jewish family, Cardozo became a leading Talmudist. He served as a dayan (religious judge) and teacher at the Portuguese Jewish community's Bet Ha-Midrash. Cardozo authored influential commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch and a body of responsa literature. His scholarship helped preserve Sephardic traditions and guided religious practice in the Netherlands. He remained active in teaching and communal affairs until his death in 1890.

Born in 1878 near Lucca, Italy, Gemma Galgani displayed profound devotion from a young age. She experienced mystical visions and was said to bear the stigmata, wounds resembling those of Christ’s crucifixion. Despite her own suffering from tuberculosis, she devoted her life to prayer, charity, and caring for the sick. Her Spiritual Diary offers insight into her inner life and unwavering faith. Canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1940, she is honored as the patron saint of students and those suffering illness. Pilgrims continue to visit her shrine in Lucca to seek her intercession.

Agustin Roman was a Cuban-born prelate of the Catholic Church who served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami from 1979 until his retirement in 2003. Born in Havana in 1928, he immigrated to the United States after the Cuban Revolution and was ordained a priest in 1961. As a bishop, he championed Hispanic ministry, education, and social services, strengthening ties between the Church and Latino communities. He played a key role in establishing diocesan programs for immigrants and youth. Revered for his pastoral care and advocacy, Bishop Roman left a profound impact on the Catholic faithful in South Florida.

Born in 1914 in Toledo, Ohio, Kripke served as the rabbi of Beth El synagogue in Omaha for over three decades. A respected Talmudic scholar, he taught classes at the Omaha Hebrew School and authored works on Jewish ethics. Kripke and his wife Dorothy became lifelong friends and advisors to investor Warren Buffett, whose shares they used to fund charitable causes. Their philanthropy supported educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and Jewish organizations. Kripke was honored with multiple awards for his community leadership and interfaith work. Even in retirement, he continued teaching and counseling congregants. He died in 2014, leaving a legacy of faith and generosity.