September 09

Armand Jean du Plessis, later Cardinal Richelieu, was born in 1585 to minor nobility in Poitou. He pursued an ecclesiastical career, becoming Bishop of Luçon and elevated to cardinal in 1622. Appointed chief minister in 1624, he strengthened the monarchy by curbing noble power and suppressing the Huguenots. He orchestrated the Siege of La Rochelle (1627–28) to end Protestant resistance and asserted royal control. Richelieu involved France in the Thirty Years' War to weaken Habsburg influence in Europe. He founded the Académie Française in 1635 to standardize the French language and culture. His statecraft laid the foundations for absolute monarchy in France and influenced European politics.

Born in Veracruz in 1731, Clavijero joined the Jesuit order and studied theology and history. After the expulsion of the Jesuits from New Spain, he settled in Italy, continuing his research. He authored "La Antigua Geografía e Historia de México", one of the first comprehensive histories of pre-Columbian Mexico. His work challenged European misconceptions and highlighted the achievements of indigenous civilizations. Clavijero's scholarship influenced later historians and contributed to Mexican cultural identity. He died in Bologna in 1787 but remains celebrated as a key figure in Mexican historiography.

Born in Liozna (now Belarus) in 1789, he was a grandson of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. He succeeded his father in 1831 as the third Chabad Rebbe, guiding the movement’s spiritual and organizational growth. Schneersohn authored the multivolume halachic work "Tzemach Tzedek," blending legal rulings with mystical insight. Under his leadership, Chabad established yeshivas and printing presses across Eastern Europe. He navigated the community through the social and political challenges of 19th-century Russia. Schneersohn died in 1866, leaving a profound impact on Hasidic philosophy and practice.

Born in Dublin in 1807, Trench was educated at Trinity College and ordained in the Church of Ireland. He gained fame as a philologist with works such as "On the Study of Words" and his pioneering lectures. His two-volume "English Past and Present" traced the history and evolution of English vocabulary. Trench served as Archbishop of Dublin from 1864 until his death, emphasizing social reform and education. He also produced poetry and sermons valued for their literary quality. He died in 1886, and his work laid the foundations for modern lexicography and English studies.

Russell M. Nelson (born 1924) is an American physician and religious leader renowned for his pioneering work in cardiac surgery and his service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps before joining Brigham Young University’s medical faculty. Nelson was instrumental in advancing open-heart surgery techniques during his medical career. In 1984, he was called as an apostle in his church and later became its president in 2018. Nelson has authored numerous devotional books and has emphasized global humanitarian efforts under his leadership.

Yusuf al-Qaradawi (1926–2022) was a leading Sunni scholar whose writings on Islamic jurisprudence reached a global audience. He authored over 120 books, including the widely read The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, addressing contemporary issues through a traditional lens. From 2004 until his passing, he served as chairman of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, promoting scholarly dialogue. Al-Qaradawi hosted the television program Sharia and Life, bringing religious discussion into millions of homes. His guidance and fatwas shaped political and social debates across the Muslim world, making him a central figure in modern Islamic thought.

Moses Benedict Anderson (1928–2013) was ordained a priest in 1953 and appointed auxiliary bishop of Detroit in 1977. In 1980, he became bishop of the Diocese of Toledo, one of the first African American bishops in the United States. Anderson championed social justice initiatives, expanded Catholic education, and strengthened Catholic Charities programs. He fostered ecumenical dialogue and encouraged youth engagement in the church. His compassionate leadership and advocacy left a lasting impact on communities in Michigan and Ohio.

Francis Carroll served as Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn from 1973 until his retirement in 2008. Ordained in 1953, he guided the diocese through decades of growth, overseeing the expansion of parishes and the establishment of educational institutions. Known for his pastoral care and commitment to social justice, Carroll championed outreach programs for the marginalized. He played a central role in ecumenical dialogue and interfaith initiatives within Australia. His leadership extended to national Church bodies, where he contributed to discussions on theology and pastoral practice. Carroll’s legacy is marked by his dedication to fostering community and faith in a changing society.