May 31

Chosen as Archbishop of Cologne in 1078 amid the Investiture Controversy. A staunch supporter of Pope Gregory VII, he enforced reforms against simony and clerical marriage. He convened local synods to tighten ecclesiastical discipline in his archdiocese. Sigwin founded and supported several monasteries, including Michaelsberg Abbey. He acted as mediator between secular rulers and the Papacy in the Rhineland. He died in 1089, remembered for his leadership during a critical period of church reform.

Vitalis of Assisi was born in 1295 and lived as a hermit near Assisi. He embraced a life of asceticism and devoted himself to prayer, meditation, and manual labor. He is associated with the Franciscan tradition and sought to embody its ideals of poverty and humility. Although detailed historical records are scarce, his reputation for piety attracted seekers of spiritual guidance. His memory was preserved in medieval hagiographies and he remains a symbol of solitary devotion in Christian history.

Guido de Bres was born in 1522 in what is now Belgium and became a leading figure of the Protestant Reformation in the Low Countries. He studied theology under prominent Reformers and served as a pastor in various Reformed congregations. In 1561, he wrote the Belgic Confession, a doctrinal statement defending Reformed beliefs to the Spanish authorities. De Bres faced persecution for his faith and was arrested by the Duke of Alba’s forces. He was executed in 1567, becoming a martyr for Protestantism. His Confession remains a foundational document in many Reformed churches worldwide.

Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg was born in 1547 into a noble Swabian family and became Archbishop-Elector of Cologne in 1577. His unexpected conversion to Protestantism broke centuries of Catholic dominance in the archbishopric and led to the outbreak of the Cologne War. Gebhard sought to secularize his territories and marry Agnes von Mansfeld-Eisleben, challenging imperial and papal authority. He faced military opposition from rival claimants and ultimately lost his see. After a protracted conflict, he spent his final years in exile under the patronage of Protestant princes. His career exemplified the religious and political turmoil of the Reformation era. He died in 1601.

Born in 1650, Joachim Neander was a German theologian and educator devoted to advancing religious instruction. He studied theology deeply and dedicated himself to teaching faith principles to others. During his brief life, he contributed to theological scholarship and influenced contemporary religious education. Although he died at only 30 years old, his commitment to teaching continued to resonate with future educators. Neander's devotion to faith and learning left a lasting impression on the study of theology.

Born in 1780, Philip Marheineke was a German theologian and philosopher who engaged deeply with contemporary philosophical thought. As a pastor, he combined religious duties with scholarly pursuits, writing extensively on Christian ethics and dogmatics. Marheineke served as a professor of theology, educating generations of clergy on the intersection of faith and reason. He contributed to philosophical discussions by reconciling Hegelian ideas with Protestant doctrine. His works on theology and philosophy left a lasting impact on 19th-century German Protestant scholarship.

Born in 1780, Thomas Chalmers was a Scottish minister and economist whose pioneering research influenced social policy. He authored key studies on poverty and welfare, advocating for charitable solutions grounded in community engagement. Chalmers served as a leading church figure, balancing pastoral duties with academic scholarship. His work bridged moral philosophy and economic analysis, contributing to the early development of political economy. Chalmers's ideas on social reform and moral leadership resonated throughout 19th-century Scotland and beyond.

Felix-Raymond-Marie Rouleau (1866–1931) was a Canadian Cardinal and Archbishop of Quebec. Ordained in 1890, he rose through ecclesiastical ranks, becoming Bishop of Valleyfield and later Archbishop of Quebec in 1926. Created Cardinal by Pope Pius XI in 1927, he was the first Canadian-born cardinal. Rouleau championed charitable initiatives and expanded social outreach programs to aid the poor and marginalized. He emphasized education, strengthening church-run schools and seminaries throughout Quebec. His tenure bolstered the Catholic presence in Canadian society during a period of rapid change and modernity.

Jan Crouch was born in 1938 in Massachusetts and, with her husband Paul, founded the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) in 1973. She became a prominent figure on religious television, known for her distinctive flamboyant style and outreach programs. Under her leadership, TBN grew into the world’s largest Christian network, broadcasting in multiple languages. Crouch championed charitable initiatives, supporting orphanages, disaster relief, and global missions. Despite controversies over finances and personal life, she remained beloved by many viewers for her evangelistic zeal. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 78, leaving a lasting legacy in faith-based media.