November 21

John Bale was born in 1495 and served as an English bishop during the early Reformation. He published one of the first comprehensive catalogs of British writers, preserving works that might otherwise have been lost. A staunch supporter of Protestant ideas, Bale used his sermons and writings to challenge Catholic doctrines. Appointed Bishop of Ossory in 1552, he continued his scholarship in Ireland despite facing royal scrutiny. His literary investigations laid important foundations for the study of medieval drama and English literature. Bale's dedication to both faith and scholarship made him a key figure in Tudor intellectual life.

Born in 1567, Anne de Xainctonge dedicated her life to the education of girls at a time when formal schooling was largely inaccessible to women. In 1606, she established the Society of the Sisters of Saint Ursula of the Blessed Virgin, emphasizing free education without dowry requirements. Her congregation spread rapidly across France and beyond, laying the groundwork for modern girls' schools. Known for her deep spirituality and practical approach, Anne combined prayer with innovative teaching methods. She navigated ecclesiastical challenges and secured papal recognition. Canonized as a saint, her legacy lives on in the countless educational institutions that trace their origins to her vision.

Friedrich Schleiermacher was born in 1768 in Berlin and became one of the most influential theologians and philosophers of his time. His work, On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers, introduced a fresh approach to theology, emphasizing religious experience over institutional dogma. Schleiermacher bridged Enlightenment thought and Christian faith, arguing that religion stems from a sense of absolute dependence. As a scholar, he produced critical editions of Plato and translated biblical texts with scholarly rigor. He founded the University of Berlin's theological seminary, shaping generations of ministers and thinkers. Schleiermacher's ideas laid foundational principles for modern hermeneutics and liberal theology, influencing theology and philosophy well into the 20th century.

Mercier founded the Higher Institute of Philosophy at the Catholic University of Leuven, promoting neo-scholastic thought and academic rigor. Appointed Archbishop of Mechelen in 1906 and elevated to Cardinal in 1907, he emerged as a moral leader during the German occupation of Belgium. His pastoral letters and sermons defended Belgian rights and supported underground resistance movements. After the war, he advocated for reconciliation and applied Catholic social teaching to postwar reconstruction. Mercier's theological works influenced Catholic education throughout Europe. He is remembered for combining deep scholarship with compassionate pastoral care.

Born Giacomo Della Chiesa, he was elected pope on the eve of World War I and immediately called for peace and humanitarian relief efforts. Benedict XV organized aid for war victims and prisoners, operating through the Vatican's neutral position to negotiate safe passages. In 1917, he promulgated the first Code of Canon Law, providing comprehensive codification of church doctrine. His pontificate navigated the Church through the war and the influenza pandemic that followed. He supported the League of Nations and advocated for postwar reconciliation. Benedict XV is remembered for his diplomatic skill and doctrinal contributions.

William Wakefield Baum was born on November 21, 1926, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was ordained a priest in 1952 and served in various pastoral roles before becoming Archbishop of Washington in 1973. Elevated to cardinal in 1976, he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education in 1980, where he championed global Catholic schooling initiatives. He also served as President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, fostering dialogue between the Vatican and traditionalist communities. Cardinal Baum retired in 1990 and spent his later years advising dioceses and educational institutions. He died in Washington, D.C., on July 23, 2015, leaving a lasting impact on Catholic education and interfaith relations.