December 20

John Sarkander (1576–1620) was a Moravian Catholic priest celebrated for his pastoral care. During the Thirty Years’ War, he ministered to soldiers and prisoners regardless of allegiance. Accused falsely of aiding Swedish forces, he endured severe torture without betraying the seal of confession. He died from injuries sustained during his interrogation, becoming revered as a martyr. Beatified in 1860, he was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1995, honored for his unwavering devotion. His legacy inspires devotion and highlights the trials faced by clergy in wartime.

Born in Cardiff in 1899, Martyn Lloyd-Jones trained as a physician before devoting his life to ministry. In 1939, he became minister of Westminster Chapel in London, where his powerful expository sermons drew thousands. He published influential works such as 'Studies in the Sermon on the Mount' and 'Spiritual Depression.' Lloyd-Jones was a leading figure in the Evangelical movement, emphasizing biblical authority and personal faith. After retiring in 1968, he continued writing and speaking until his death in 1981. His legacy endures in modern preaching and evangelical scholarship.