October 16

Lullus (710-786), also known as Saint Lullus, was an English missionary who became the first permanent archbishop of Mainz in the Frankish Empire. A disciple of Saint Boniface, he continued his mentor's work to evangelize the Germanic tribes and strengthen church organization. As archbishop, he founded the Abbey of Fulda, which grew into a major center of learning and spirituality. He negotiated with Frankish rulers for support of ecclesiastical reforms and secured land grants to expand the church's influence. Canonized for his leadership and missionary achievements, Lullus remains venerated as a saint in the Catholic tradition.

Nicholas V (died 1333), born Pietro Rainalducci, was an Italian cleric who became antipope during a contested papal election following Pope John XXII’s death. Backed by Emperor Louis IV and dissenting cardinals, he established a rival court at Avignon and maintained his claim from 1328 to 1330. His antipapacy deepened divisions within the Church, drawing support from factions frustrated with papal policies. Despite lacking broad recognition, Nicholas engaged in negotiations and political maneuvers to challenge the reigning pontiff. He ultimately abdicated after a mediated agreement, relinquishing his claim in exchange for a pension and safe conduct. He spent his remaining years in relative obscurity before dying in 1333. His brief claim to the papacy highlights the intricate power struggles between secular and ecclesiastical authorities in medieval Europe.

Born around 1487, Latimer became Bishop of Worcester and a leading advocate for Bible translation into English. A gifted orator, his sermons criticized clerical abuses and inspired many as part of the English Reformation. Under Mary I, he was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in 1555 alongside Nicholas Ridley. His final words, "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley..." are widely quoted as a testament to his faith. Canonized as one of the Oxford Martyrs, Latimer’s writings and sermons continue to influence Anglican tradition.

Nicholas Ridley was born around 1500 and rose through the ranks of the Church of England. Appointed Bishop of London, he supported liturgical reforms and the English-language liturgy. Ridley played a key role in drafting foundational documents of the Anglican Church. In 1555, he was convicted of heresy and executed by burning at Oxford, becoming one of the Oxford Martyrs. His steadfast faith and writings on church governance left a lasting impact on Protestant worship practices.

Born Niccolò Sfondrati in 1535 near Milan, he was elected Pope Gregory XIV in December 1590. Despite his brief papacy, he actively supported the Catholic League against Protestant forces in France. He issued papal bulls to restore order within religious orders and strengthen church discipline. Gregory XIV also worked to improve education of clergy and combat corruption within the Church. He died in October 1591 after less than a year in office, leaving behind a reputation for zeal and reformist energy.

William Allen was born in 1532 and educated at Oxford, where he became a Fellow of Oriel College. After Queen Elizabeth I’s accession, Allen fled to the Continent, dedicating himself to preserving English Catholicism. He founded the English College at Douai in 1568 to train missionary priests for England. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Pius V, he authored important polemical works defending Catholic doctrine. Allen’s efforts helped sustain the English Catholic community during decades of persecution.

Born in 1725 in Muro Lucano, Gerard Majella joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) at age 19. Known for his gentle spirit and dedication to the poor, he served as sacristan, gardener, and porter at various convents. Many miracles were attributed to his intercession, including healings of the sick and protection of expectant mothers. After his untimely death at 30, his reputation for holiness grew rapidly, leading to beatification in 1893 and canonization in 1904. He is now the patron saint of expectant mothers and unborn children.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) was the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism. He established the Breslov movement, emphasizing joy, prayer, and personal storytelling as paths to spiritual growth. Known for his teachings on hitbodedut (personal prayer in solitude), he composed parables and tales that remain central to Breslov literature. Despite his short life, he attracted a dedicated following across Eastern Europe. Nachman embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land but died of tuberculosis before completing his journey. His works, including Likutey Moharan, continue to inspire seekers around the world with themes of hope, faith, and resilience.

Joseph Leycester Lyne (1837-1908), known as Father Ignatius, was raised in London and ordained as an Anglican deacon in 1863. Inspired by Catholic monastic traditions, he established the first modern Anglican monastery at Tolleshunt Knights in Essex. Lyne's flamboyant cassocks and insistence on full monastic vows sparked disputes with church authorities. Despite opposition, he attracted followers and built churches in an attempt to restore ritual and discipline. His writings on liturgy and monastic practice influenced the 19th-century Anglo-Catholic movement. Father Ignatius died in 1908, leaving a complex legacy as both a pioneer of Anglican religious revival and a figure of controversy.