May 13

Born in 1632, Bourdaloue joined the Society of Jesus and honed his rhetorical skills.\nHe became a favorite preacher at the court of Louis XIV and at Notre-Dame de Paris.\nHis clear, moralistic sermons were widely printed and studied across Europe.\nHe balanced emotional appeal with logical arguments to influence his listeners.\nHis published works shaped the art of preaching and religious writing.\nBourdaloue died in 1704, leaving a lasting legacy in homiletics.

Beilby Porteus was born in York in 1731 and educated at Christ's College, Cambridge. He became Bishop of Chester in 1780 and Bishop of London in 1787. Porteus was a leading voice in the Church of England against the slave trade and supported legislation to abolish it. He reformed church liturgy and promoted moral education through charity schools. His sermons and writings influenced both religious practice and social reform in late 18th-century Britain. Porteus died in 1809, leaving a legacy as a moral leader within the Anglican Church.

John Littlejohn was born in 1756 and served as a sheriff enforcing law and order in his community. He embraced the Methodist faith and became a traveling preacher, delivering sermons to frontier settlements. Littlejohn’s dual roles reflected the intertwined nature of civic duty and spiritual devotion in early America. He was known for his commitment to both justice and moral guidance. Throughout his life, he balanced his responsibilities as a lawman with his passion for spreading Methodist teachings. Littlejohn passed away in 1836, remembered for his grassroots contributions to public service and faith-based leadership.

Born in Belgium in 1857, Libert Hubert Boeynaems was ordained a Jesuit priest before dedicating his life to missionary work. He was appointed a bishop and served in the United States, ministering to growing immigrant Catholic communities. Boeynaems oversaw the expansion of parishes and schools, strengthening the church's presence and outreach. His leadership was marked by a commitment to education, social welfare, and spiritual guidance. He navigated the challenges of a diverse flock during a period of rapid social change. Bishop Boeynaems died in 1926, remembered for his pastoral zeal and devotion to his faith.

Alois Hudal (1885–1963) was an Austrian-Italian bishop and theologian of the Catholic Church. He served as rector of the Pontificio Istituto Teutonico Santa Maria dell'Anima in Rome. During the 1930s, Hudal acted as a liaison between the Vatican and German bishops amid the rise of Nazism. After World War II, he faced criticism for assisting fugitive war criminals through so-called 'ratlines'. Hudal authored works on theology and church-state relations, reflecting his complex legacy. Despite his scholarly reputation, his wartime actions remain a subject of historical debate.

Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz was one of the most influential Saudi Arabian scholars of the 20th century. He served as Grand Mufti from 1993 until his death, issuing fatwas on various aspects of Islamic law. Ibn Baz studied at the Islamic University of Medina and memorized the Quran at an early age. He authored dozens of books on theology, jurisprudence, and Quranic exegesis. His conservative interpretations shaped religious life in Saudi Arabia and beyond. He received the King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam for his scholarly contributions.

Born in 1934, he served as a leading rabbinic authority in Antwerp's Jewish community. Brandsdorfer edited and published critical Chabad texts, ensuring their accuracy and accessibility. He was a recognized posek, providing halachic guidance to communities and scholars worldwide. His writings and responsa contributed to the preservation of Jewish legal traditions. He founded educational initiatives to deepen engagement with Chabad philosophy and practice. Brandsdorfer's scholarship and leadership left a lasting imprint on Jewish learning.

Nguyễn Văn Thiện (1906–2012) was a Vietnamese Roman Catholic bishop who served as the head of the Diocese of Vĩnh Long from 1960 until his retirement in 2001. Ordained in 1933, he witnessed and shepherded his community through the Vietnam War and the post-war reconstruction era. Bishop Thiện participated in the Second Vatican Council and implemented its reforms in his diocese. He established schools, hospitals, and charitable initiatives to support education and healthcare. Known for his pastoral care and resilience, he remained a spiritual leader until his passing at the age of 105.