July 12

Jacopo Sadoleto was born in 1477 in Modena and rose to prominence as a Renaissance humanist. Appointed cardinal by Pope Paul III in 1536, he engaged in theological debates and ecclesiastical reform. His Latin epistles and letters to Protestant reformers reflect a conciliatory approach to religious conflicts. Sadoleto served as a key diplomatic figure, negotiating between the Papacy and European monarchs. His works exemplify classical learning and Christian piety, influencing both theology and rhetoric. He passed away in 1547, remembered for bridging humanist scholarship and Catholic doctrine.

Peter Chanel was born in 1803 on the island of Iles de Lerins off the coast of France. He joined the Society of Mary and volunteered to evangelize in the South Pacific. Chanel arrived on the island of Futuna in 1837, where he learned the local language and customs. His compassionate ministry attracted converts but provoked hostility among tribal leaders. He was martyred in 1841, becoming a symbol of missionary zeal and sacrifice. Canonized in 1954, he is venerated as the patron saint of Oceania.