October 28

Born into Spanish nobility in 1510, Francis Borgia served as Duke of Gandía and a court official for Charles V. After his wife's death, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1546 and took vows as a priest. He became the third Superior General of the Jesuits in 1565, guiding rapid growth of the order across Europe. Renowned for his piety, humility, and administrative skill, he reformed Jesuit governance and educational missions. He was canonized in 1670, venerated for his spiritual writings and dedication to missionary work. Francis Borgia died in 1572, leaving a legacy as a model of renunciation and leadership in the Catholic Church.

Born in 1550 to Polish nobility, Stanislaus Kostka felt a strong religious calling from childhood. He secretly joined the Jesuit novitiate in Rome against his family's wishes in 1567. Known for his humility, prayerfulness, and charity, he cared for the sick and poor in the Roman hospitals. He contracted a fatal fever in 1568 and died at the age of 17, celebrated for his spiritual maturity. Pope Benedict XIII canonized him in 1726, making him the patron saint of students and youth. His life exemplifies youthful piety and dedication to the Ignatian spiritual exercises.

Born in 1585 in the Netherlands, Cornelius Jansen became Bishop of Ypres in 1635. His posthumously published work "Augustinus" (1640) emphasized predestination and original sin. Jansen’s rigorous theology challenged Jesuit doctrines and led to the religious controversy known as Jansenism. His followers faced censure from the Vatican, impacting French and Dutch Catholicism for decades. He is noted for his scholarly rigor, scriptural exegesis, and advocacy of moral reform in clergy. Jansen died in 1638, but his theological legacy continued to shape debates on grace and free will.

Born in Tours, France, in 1599 as Marie Guyart, she entered the Ursuline order at age 19. In 1639 she sailed for Quebec City to evangelize and educate Indigenous and settler girls. She founded the Ursuline Monastery and its school, introducing literacy and religious instruction. Marie learned Indigenous languages and translated prayers and catechism to serve local communities. She wrote extensive correspondence detailing early colonial life and missions in New France. Canonized in 2014, she is honored as a pioneer of education and cross-cultural engagement.

Ignacije Szentmartony, born in 1718, combined his Jesuit faith with rigorous scientific inquiry. Trained in mathematics and astronomy, he joined missions that explored remote regions, making precise celestial observations to improve navigation and mapping. His detailed journals chronicled both natural phenomena and local cultures. Szentmartony’s multidisciplinary work advanced 18th-century geodesy and cartography. After returning to Europe, he shared his findings through lectures and publications. His legacy reflects a rare blend of spiritual dedication and scientific exploration.

Sister Nivedita, born Margaret Noble, was invited to India by Swami Vivekananda in 1898. She taught at schools for girls in Calcutta and promoted science education. Nivedita wrote extensively on Indian culture and philosophy, authoring 'The Web of Indian Life.' She funded relief efforts during famines and supported Indian nationalists. Her work bridged Western and Indian traditions and inspired future social reformers.

Ambrogio Gianotti was an Italian Catholic priest who joined the anti-fascist partisan movement during World War II. He provided moral guidance and support to fellow resistance fighters while fulfilling his clerical responsibilities. Gianotti’s participation exemplified the courage of religious figures in opposing tyranny and aiding liberation. After the war, he resumed his pastoral work and contributed to rebuilding war-torn communities. His dual role highlights the complex interplay between faith and political resistance in wartime Italy. Gianotti’s legacy endures in stories of sacrifice and moral conviction. Though lesser known, his life embodies the spirit of resilience against oppression.