October 06

Rowland Taylor was an English Protestant priest and rector at Hadleigh. He became chaplain to the Duke of Suffolk and supported religious reforms under Edward VI. Under Queen Mary I's Catholic restoration, he was arrested for his faith. In 1555, he was burned at the stake in Norwich, becoming one of the Marian martyrs. His martyrdom inspired Protestant communities and is remembered in religious histories.

Matteo Ricci was an Italian Jesuit priest and one of the first Western missionaries in China. He studied Chinese language and Confucian texts, adopting local customs to foster cultural exchange. Ricci introduced Western science, mathematics, and cartography to the Ming court. His works included the production of world maps in Chinese and translations of classical works. He laid the foundation for Sino-Western relations and influenced intellectual exchange until his death in 1610.

Sarah Crosby was a key figure in the early Methodist movement and the first woman licensed to preach by John Wesley. Starting in the mid-18th century, she hosted Methodist meetings in her London home and traveled to spread the new evangelical faith. Cornwall-born, she overcame social barriers to become a spiritual leader, advocating for religious discipline and personal piety. Crosby’s preaching helped pave the way for greater female participation in Protestant ministry. Her correspondence and journals provide valuable insights into the development of Methodism and the role of women in 18th-century religious life.

Born in the Azores in 1915, Humberto Sousa Medeiros emigrated to the United States as a young man. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1946 and later became rector of the Catholic University of America. In 1970, he was appointed Bishop of Brownsville, Texas, before returning to Boston as Archbishop in 1972. Pope Paul VI elevated him to cardinal in 1973, making him one of the youngest American cardinals at the time. He championed social justice, Catholic education, and ecumenical dialogue throughout his ministry. Cardinal Medeiros remained a respected figure until his death in 1983.

Born in Huntsville, Alabama in 1921, Joseph Lowery was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1950. He became a leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Lowery co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957 and served as its president from 1977 to 1997. He led campaigns against segregation and voter suppression, using powerful sermons and nonviolent protest. Lowery was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 for his lifelong work in social justice. He continued preaching and advocating for equality until his death in 2020.

Eddie Villanueva was born in Santa Lucia, Bulacan, Philippines in 1946 and discovered his Christian faith early in life. He founded the Jesus Is Lord Church in 1978, which grew into one of the country’s largest evangelical movements. In 1998 he launched the ZOE Broadcasting Network to spread religious programming and educational content nationwide. Villanueva entered politics in the early 2000s, running for President of the Philippines in 2004 and 2010. He later served as a party-list representative for CIBAC in the House of Representatives, advocating social and moral reforms. Villanueva is known for blending his spiritual leadership with media outreach and legislative efforts to impact Philippine society.