August 19

Credan's exact dates of birth and tenure are not well documented, but he is honored for his devout leadership and ascetic life. He served as abbot in a monastic community in Anglo-Saxon England, guiding monks in prayer and labor. Medieval hagiographies credit him with performing charitable works and caring for the poor. After his death in 780, he was revered as a saint, and his feast day on August 19 is still observed in some local calendars. Though little of his written work survives, his legacy endures through devotional traditions and church dedications.

Born in 1028 in Nishapur, Al-Juwayni became one of the leading scholars of the Shafi'i school. He served as the chief judge of both Mecca and Medina, earning the honorific title 'Imam of the Two Holy Sanctuaries.' His principal works, including 'Tahrir al-Ahkam' and 'al-Burhan fi Usul al-Fiqh,' laid foundations for later jurists. He taught a generation of students, notably influencing his disciple Al-Ghazali. Al-Juwayni's blend of rational inquiry and traditional scholarship had a lasting impact on Islamic legal thought until his death in 1085.

Born in 1274 as the second son of King Charles II of Naples, Louis of Toulouse chose a life of humility, joining the Franciscan Order instead of pursuing royal power. He was appointed Bishop of Toulouse in 1297, where he was revered for his compassion and care for the poor. His devotion to faith and reported miracles after his death led to his canonization by Pope John XXII in 1317. Louis's legacy endures as a symbol of sacrificial leadership and spiritual devotion.

Born in Normandy in 1406, Richard Olivier de Longueil pursued a career in the Church while serving the French crown. He held various bishoprics before being elevated to cardinal by Pope Pius II in 1460. As a trusted advisor to King Louis XI, he played a pivotal role in mediating conflicts between France and the Papal States. He advocated for reforms in ecclesiastical administration and worked to strengthen ties between the monarchy and the Church. De Longueil died in 1470, leaving behind a reputation for political acumen and religious devotion.

Born in 1579 in Prague, Yom-Tov Lipmann Heller studied under leading rabbis before serving in various rabbinates across Poland and Germany. His most famous work, 'Tosafot Yom Tov,' is a comprehensive commentary on the Mishnah that became a standard text in yeshivot. Despite facing imprisonment during the Khmelnytsky Uprising, he continued his scholarly pursuits and leadership within the community. Heller advocated for ethical conduct and educational reform among rabbis and laypeople alike. He passed away in 1654, leaving a rich legacy of legal and moral teachings that are still studied today.

Jean Eudes was a French missionary priest notable for founding the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (the Eudists). He dedicated his life to parish ministry, preaching, and the formation of clergy. Under his leadership, the Eudists promoted popular devotions, especially to the Sacred Heart of Mary. He authored numerous spiritual works and established seminaries for pastoral training. Jean Eudes' legacy continues through the global Eudist community and enduring Marian devotions.

Franz Xavier Wernz was a German Jesuit priest elected as the 25th Superior General of the Society of Jesus in 1906. Born in Hohenholz in 1844, he entered the Jesuit novitiate at Maria-Laach. Wernz earned doctorates in philosophy and theology before being ordained in 1874. As Superior General, he guided the order through early 20th-century challenges and expansion. He emphasized spiritual formation, missions in Asia and Latin America, and educational initiatives. During his tenure, the Jesuits saw significant growth in colleges, missions, and publications. Wernz died in 1914, leaving a legacy of strengthened global Jesuit networks.

Born in 1916, George Houser earned a degree from DePauw University before becoming ordained as a Methodist minister. In 1942, he co-founded the Congress of Racial Equality, pioneering nonviolent direct action against racial segregation in the United States. Houser organized Freedom Rides and sit-ins, collaborating with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Bayard Rustin. He also founded the American Committee on Africa, championing independence movements on the continent. Throughout his life, Houser lectured and wrote extensively on social justice and pacifism. He continued his activism well into his later years until his death in 2015.