July 22

Simon Langham (1310–1376) was an English churchman and statesman who rose to become Archbishop of Canterbury. He played a crucial role in mediating disputes between church and crown during the reign of Edward III. In 1368, Langham was created cardinal by Pope Urban V and served as papal legate. He sponsored the founding of monastic houses and was a patron of scholastic scholars at Oxford. Langham's ecclesiastical career reflected the complex interplay of politics and religion in medieval England.

Richard Cox (c.1500–1581) was an English churchman who played a leading role in the English Reformation. Educated at Cambridge, he served as chaplain and tutor to Princess Elizabeth and later to King Edward VI. Appointed Bishop of Ely by Elizabeth I in 1559, he implemented key liturgical reforms in his diocese. His writings defended the reforms of the Church of England and influenced the development of the Book of Common Prayer. Cox retired from episcopal duties in 1580 and died the following year. His legacy remains in his contributions to shaping Elizabethan religious policy.

Lawrence of Brindisi (1559–1619) was a Capuchin friar and Doctor of the Church renowned for his eloquent preaching in multiple languages. Born in Brindisi, Italy, he joined the Capuchin Order and was ordained a priest in 1582. He served as provincial minister and later as papal legate, combating Protestantism in Germany and organizing defenses against Ottoman incursions. His theological works and commentaries on the Scriptures earned him a reputation as a leading scholar of his time. Canonized in 1881 and declared a Doctor of the Church, his feast day is celebrated on July 21. He died in Lisbon after a lifetime dedicated to pastoral care and spiritual writings.

Pope Clement X (1590–1676), born Emilio Bonaventura Altieri, served as head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 1670 until his death. Elected at age 79, he was one of the oldest pontiffs in Church history. His papacy was marked by diplomatic efforts to maintain the Peace of Westphalia and to negotiate with Catholic monarchs. He continued to support missionary activities in Asia and the Americas, approving new religious orders and strengthening ecclesiastical institutions. Clement X was known for his personal humility and charitable works, often distributing alms and advocating for the poor. He also commissioned notable architectural projects in Rome, including the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica. His reign left a lasting impact on Baroque art and Catholic diplomacy.

Born in 1822 in Ledóchowice, Poland, he entered the priesthood and rose quickly through church ranks. He served as Bishop of Gniezno and Primate of Poland before being appointed Cardinal by Pope Pius IX. Halka-Ledóchowski resisted Prussian state interference in church affairs, leading to his arrest and exile. During his exile in North America, he ministered to Polish immigrants and preached widely on religious freedom. He later returned to Rome, serving as prefect of the Congregation for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs. His unwavering stance on papal authority and church rights made him a significant figure in church-state relations.

Born in 1827 in Pictou, Nova Scotia, Snodgrass studied theology and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church. He joined Queen's College (now Queen's University) in Kingston as a professor of pastoral theology in 1848. In 1864, he became the institution’s second principal, overseeing its expansion and curriculum development. Snodgrass emphasized classical education, moral instruction, and the training of clergy in Canada. He authored works on theology and pastoral care, influencing Canadian religious education. He died in 1906, leaving a legacy in both church leadership and higher education.