September 27

Vekenega led the Benedictine convent of St. Mary in Zadar during the early 12th century. Belonging to Croatian nobility, she was elected abbess and guided her community through political uncertainty. She managed the convent's affairs and ensured its spiritual and material prosperity. Under her leadership, the monastery expanded its influence and resources. She died in 1111, remembered for her piety and administrative skill.

Bonfilius served as bishop of Foligno, guiding his diocese with a commitment to church reform and moral integrity. He traveled widely to minister to the poor and sick, embodying compassion and charity. His leadership strengthened the local clergy and encouraged spiritual renewal. Pilgrims flocked to Foligno to seek his blessings and hear his teachings. He died in 1115 and was venerated as a saint for his exemplary holiness and service.

Born around 1320, William of Wykeham rose from humble origins to become Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor. He served King Edward III, managing royal finances and overseeing legal reforms. He founded New College, Oxford, and Winchester College, shaping medieval education in England. His architectural projects at Windsor and Winchester demonstrated his vision and influence. He died in 1404, remembered as one of medieval England's most innovative churchmen and scholars.

Born in 1536, Piotr Skarga studied theology in Kraków and Rome before joining the Society of Jesus. He served as royal preacher to King Sigismund III Vasa, addressing the political and moral issues of his time. His 'Sejm Sermons' criticized social corruption and urged reform within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Skarga championed the Catholic Counter-Reformation, reinforcing the Church's presence in Poland. He died in 1612, remembered as a passionate advocate for religious renewal and national integrity.

Born in Manila to a Chinese father and Filipino mother, Lorenzo Ruiz worked as a layman and calligrapher before embracing Catholicism. Falsely accused of murdering a priest, he fled to the Philippines and later to Japan during anti-Christian persecutions. Captured and tortured on Ōmura island, he endured brutal exile and imprisonment. Martyred by strangulation and drowning on September 27, 1637, for refusing to renounce his belief. Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1987, he remains the patron saint of the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora.

Born Giovanni Battista Castagna in Rome in 1521, he became a distinguished canon lawyer and diplomat. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Sixtus V, he was elected Pope Urban VII on September 15, 1590. His brief pontificate of just 13 days was cut short by malaria, leading to his death on September 27, 1590. Despite his short reign, he issued decrees against nepotism and abolished taxes on fruit in Rome. His tenure remains notable for brevity and his commitment to church reform.

Born in 1581 in Pouy, Vincent de Paul was ordained as a priest and dedicated his life to serving marginalized communities. He founded the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) and co-founded the Daughters of Charity alongside Saint Louise de Marillac. His innovative approach to charity included organizing relief for war prisoners and establishing hospitals. Canonized in 1737, he is remembered as the patron saint of charitable organizations. He died on September 27, 1660, leaving an enduring legacy in social work and healthcare.

Born Antonio Pignatelli in Spinazzola in 1615, he was elected Pope Innocent XII in 1691. He issued the bull Romanum decet pontificem in 1692, effectively ending the practice of papal nepotism. Committed to administrative and financial reform, he improved the Vatican’s fiscal management and promoted missionary work. His diplomatic efforts eased tensions between European powers. He died on September 27, 1700, leaving a reputation for integrity and governance.

Born in 1662 in Herefordshire, George Smalridge was educated at Oxford and served as chaplain to the Duke of Monmouth and later to King James II. Appointed Bishop of Bristol in 1701, he delivered sermons admired for their clarity and depth. A staunch supporter of the Stuart line, he refused to swear allegiance to William and Mary after the Glorious Revolution, resulting in his removal from certain church positions. His writings on theology and church history were highly regarded. He died on September 27, 1719, remembered for his piety and scholarship.

Hugh Boulter was born in Henbury, Cheshire, in 1672 and educated at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was appointed Bishop of Bristol in 1721 and became Archbishop of Armagh in 1724. As Primate of All Ireland, he acted as a chief adviser to the Lord Lieutenant in Dublin Castle. Boulter strongly advocated for the Protestant ascendancy and implemented church reforms. He navigated complex political and religious tensions in Ireland during his tenure. He died in Dublin on September 27, 1742, remembered for his clerical leadership and political acumen.

Aimee Semple McPherson (1890–1944) was a Canadian-American evangelist known for her dynamic preaching style and innovative use of media. In 1923, she founded the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Los Angeles, combining Pentecostal theology with a modern evangelistic approach. She pioneered the use of radio broadcasts, reaching millions with her sermons in the 1920s and 1930s. McPherson's temple in Angelus Temple became a landmark of charismatic Christianity and community outreach. Her leadership in charity, faith healing, and international missions solidified her legacy as a transformative figure in modern American religion.