American soldier, monk, and judge
American soldier
monk
and judge
German-born settler who bridged colonial Pennsylvania and Native American nations as a soldier, diplomat, and judge.
Conrad Weiser was born in 1696 in the German Palatinate before emigrating to Pennsylvania in 1710.
Fluent in multiple languages, he became an indispensable interpreter between colonial authorities and the Iroquois Confederacy.
He participated in military expeditions against French-allied tribes during the French and Indian War.
In addition to his military service, Weiser served as a county judge and magistrate, adjudicating land and treaty disputes.
A devout Lutheran, he also worked as a lay minister, establishing congregations on the frontier.
His diplomatic efforts helped secure treaties that maintained relative peace in the mid-18th century.
He died in 1760, remembered as a pivotal figure in colonial Native American relations.
1696
Conrad Weiser
Maltese priest and missionary
Maltese priest and missionary
Maltese priest who founded the Missionary Society of Saint Paul and dedicated his life to missionary work.
Blessed Joseph De Piro (1877–1933) was a Maltese Roman Catholic priest and the founder of the Missionary Society of Saint Paul.
Ordained in 1901, he demonstrated deep commitment to missionary service and spiritual formation.
In 1910, he established his society to train missionaries for evangelization worldwide.
His vision emphasized cultural respect and the adaptation of the Gospel to local contexts.
De Piro oversaw the society's expansion into Africa and Asia before his death.
Known for his humility, pastoral care, and devotion to the poor, he was beatified in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
His legacy continues through the ongoing work of the Missionary Society of Saint Paul.
1877
Joseph De Piro
Indian 48th Shia Imam
Indian 48th Shia Imam
Spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims and the 48th hereditary Imam of the Nizari Ismailis.
Aga Khan III (1877–1957), born Sultan Muhammad Shah, served as the 48th Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims.
He ascended to the Imamate in 1885 at the age of seven and led the community for over 70 years.
Aga Khan III was also a statesman, heading the All-India Muslim League and influencing the founding of Pakistan.
He became the first president of the League of Nations Assembly in 1920.
Known for his philanthropic initiatives, he established educational and healthcare institutions across Asia and Africa.
Under his leadership, the Ismaili community experienced modernization and greater global engagement.
His long and influential tenure shaped both his faith community and international diplomacy.
Aga Khan III
Shia Imam
Canadian cardinal
Canadian cardinal
Canadian Catholic prelate who led the Archdiocese of Quebec and was elevated to the College of Cardinals, shaping the church's direction in the 20th century.
Born in Quebec in 1883, he was ordained to the priesthood in the early 1900s.
He served in various parish roles before being appointed Archbishop of Quebec in the 1930s.
He oversaw significant growth in Catholic education and charitable activities throughout his archdiocese.
He was a prominent voice in social and spiritual matters, guiding the faithful during times of change.
He was elevated to the College of Cardinals shortly before his death, one of the highest honors in the church.
He passed away in 1947, leaving behind a strengthened and modernized Archdiocese of Quebec.
1883
Jean-Marie-Rodrigue Villeneuve
Hungarian-born Swiss rabbi and businessman
Hungarian-born Swiss rabbi and businessman
Swiss rabbi and entrepreneur who founded the Banque du Credit International and played a key role in financing Israel's early economy.
Born in Budapest in 1923, Rosenbaum emigrated to Switzerland after World War II.
He studied rabbinical theology and became a respected Swiss rabbi.
In 1955, he founded the Banque du Credit International in Geneva, serving as its president.
He used the bank to finance numerous Israeli institutions and promote economic development.
Rosenbaum's financial dealings were both influential and controversial, leaving a complex legacy.
1923
Tibor Rosenbaum