November 17

Born in Asunción, Roque González became one of the first Jesuit missionaries in the Río de la Plata region. He founded several Reductions (mission towns) aimed at protecting and converting Guaraní communities. González championed indigenous rights and fostered cultural exchange through language and education. He was martyred during an uprising in 1628 and proclaimed a saint by Pope John Paul II in 1988. His legacy endures in the historical Jesuit missions of Paraguay and Argentina.

Agnes took religious vows at a young age and joined the Congregation of Our Lady of Montmartre in Paris. She gained a reputation for mystical experiences and interior locutions attributed to divine inspiration. Her humility and counsel attracted many, including notable religious figures seeking her advice. Though she did not write extensively, her life inspired devotion and later beatification. Agnes of Jesus is remembered for her deep faith and impact on French spiritual life.

Pierre François le Courayer was born in 1681 in France and ordained as a Catholic priest. He became a leading advocate of Gallicanism, arguing for the independence of the French Church. His treatises praising the Church of England led to condemnation by French ecclesiastical authorities. In 1727, he took refuge in England where he served as preacher at the Savoy Chapel in London. Courayer’s works contributed to early ecumenical debates and religious tolerance. He continued writing theological and literary texts until his death in 1776 at age 95.

Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg was born in 1753 in Pennsylvania into a prominent German-American family. Ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1782, he served congregations in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Parallel to his ministry, he pursued botany, publishing the 'Catalogue of American Plants' in 1813 with descriptions of numerous species. The grass genus Muhlenbergia was named in his honor. His dual legacy in religion and natural science exemplifies Enlightenment-era scholarship. He died in 1815, leaving a significant mark on American botany and church life.

Born in 1923, Hubertus Brandenburg was ordained as a priest in 1952 and dedicated his life to the Roman Catholic Church in Sweden. Appointed Bishop of Stockholm in 1977, he guided the diocese for over two decades, fostering ecumenical dialogue with other faiths. A respected scholar, he authored works on church history and theology, contributing to academic and pastoral discussions. He championed social justice causes and supported initiatives for the poor and marginalized. Under his leadership, the number of Catholic parishes in Sweden grew significantly. After retiring in 1998, he continued pastoral work and spiritual mentorship. He died in 2009, remembered as a bridge-builder and advocate for unity within the Christian community.

Crispian Hollis is an English Roman Catholic bishop born in 1936. Ordained to the priesthood in 1961, he became the Bishop of Portsmouth in 1989. During his tenure, he oversaw the growth of parishes and championed community outreach programs. He has been a vocal advocate for interfaith dialogue and education within his diocese. Following his retirement in 2012, he holds the title of Bishop Emeritus while continuing pastoral work.