July 31

Peter Chrysologus served as Bishop of Ravenna in the early 5th century. He was celebrated for his concise and powerful sermons, earning the nickname "Chrysologus" or "golden-worded". A staunch defender of orthodox Christianity, he wrote homilies on key theological topics. His surviving sermons influenced the development of Western homiletics. Venerated as a saint, he was declared a Doctor of the Church for his contributions to Christian preaching. He died in 450 and is remembered for his lasting spiritual legacy.

William Courtenay served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1381 and later became Lord Chancellor. Born into the noble Courtenay family in 1342, he combined ecclesiastical leadership with political influence. He played a key role in mediating conflicts between King Richard II and the English nobility. Courtenay was known for his administrative reforms within the Church and his legal expertise. His dual roles made him one of the most powerful figures in late 14th-century England. He died in 1396, leaving a legacy of church-state collaboration.

Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish nobleman-turned-soldier who experienced a spiritual conversion after being wounded in battle. In 1540, he founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), dedicating himself to education, missionary work, and the Catholic Reformation. He developed the Spiritual Exercises, a manual of Christian meditation and prayer still used today. Under his leadership, the Jesuits established schools, colleges, and missions across Europe and beyond. Ordained a priest in 1537, Ignatius emphasized obedience, discipline, and intellectual rigor among his followers. He died in 1556 and was canonized as a saint in 1622, leaving a lasting impact on the Church.

Eugene Carson Blake, born in 1906, was a leading American Presbyterian minister renowned for his commitment to ecumenism and racial equality. As stated clerk of the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church, he actively opposed church segregation and advocated for integrated congregations. Blake served as president of the National Council of Churches from 1967 to 1972, facilitating cooperation among Protestant denominations on social issues. He supported civil rights and anti-war movements, using his pulpit to address moral and political questions of the era. Blake organized and led major church conferences that fostered interdenominational dialogue and collaboration. His visionary leadership helped lay the groundwork for greater unity among diverse Christian traditions in the United States. Blake's influence continues through ongoing ecumenical initiatives and the social witness of American churches.