September 23

John Jewel was born in 1522 and became one of the foremost defenders of the Church of England during the Elizabethan era. He served as Bishop of Salisbury from 1559 until his death in 1571. Jewel authored the influential Apology of the Church of England, which articulated the theological foundations of Anglicanism. His works were instrumental in shaping the Elizabethan Religious Settlement and defending Protestant doctrine against Catholic critics. Revered for his scholarly sermons and writings, he left a lasting impact on English church history.

Johan Ernst Gunnerus was born in 1718 in Christiania (now Oslo), Norway. He was ordained as a bishop of the Church of Norway and served the Diocese of Nidaros from 1762. A passionate naturalist, he conducted extensive botanical research in Scandinavia and the Arctic. In 1760 he co-founded the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters to promote scientific inquiry. Gunnerus's dual legacy as a cleric and scientist continued to influence Norwegian scholarship until his death in 1773.

Born in 1800, Émilie Gamelin devoted her life to aiding the poor, the sick, and orphaned children in 19th-century Quebec. In 1843, she founded the Sisters of Providence, a congregation dedicated to charity work, including running shelters, schools, and hospitals. Under her leadership, the order grew rapidly, responding to crises such as famine and cholera outbreaks. Gamelin's compassionate approach to social welfare laid the groundwork for modern charitable practices in Canada. She was beatified by the Catholic Church in 2001 in recognition of her enduring legacy of service.

Born Francesco Forgione in 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, he joined the Capuchin Order at age 15 and was ordained a priest in 1910. Padre Pio became famous for bearing the stigmata—wounds corresponding to Christ's crucifixion—which he reportedly carried for most of his life. He heard confessions for hours, offering spiritual guidance and comfort to thousands of pilgrims who visited his monastery in San Giovanni Rotondo. Padre Pio founded the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital, demonstrating his deep commitment to caring for the sick. Despite investigations and skepticism, his humility and devotion inspired widespread devotion and numerous testimonies of healing miracles. He was beatified in 1999 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002, becoming one of the most beloved modern saints. Padre Pio's legacy continues to draw pilgrims seeking spiritual solace and healing.

Born in Chennai in 1930, Dayananda Saraswati became a respected teacher of Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the unity of Atman and Brahman. In 1962 he founded the first Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Rishikesh to offer structured spiritual education. He traveled internationally, lecturing on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the principles of non-dualism. His accessible teaching style attracted a diverse following, including many Western students. Over five decades he established several centers in Europe, North America, and Asia. He authored numerous commentaries that clarified ancient scriptures for modern audiences. His legacy persists through the global network of Arsha Vidya centers and his recorded teachings.