December 24

Born in 1549 in Münster, Ulenberg converted from Lutheranism to Catholicism as a young scholar. He authored the "Catholisch Handpostille," a collection of homilies that became widely read in German-speaking lands. His German translation of the Psalms and other devotional works facilitated Catholic worship. Ulenberg taught theology at the University of Cologne and advised bishops on reform. He remained a key figure in the intellectual life of the Counter-Reformation until his death in 1617.

William Warburton rose to prominence as Bishop of Gloucester and a leading voice in Anglican theology. He authored 'The Divine Legation of Moses,' a controversial work defending the Mosaic institution and demonstrating divine sanction of the Old Testament. His writings engaged with Enlightenment thinkers and addressed questions of faith, reason, and scripture. Warburton’s eloquent style and rigorous argumentation attracted both praise and criticism from contemporaries. He served as chaplain to King George II and forged connections with key literary and political figures of his era. Warburton also contributed to literary criticism, notably editing Alexander Pope’s works. His legacy lies in his attempts to reconcile traditional Christian doctrine with emerging philosophical currents. He died in 1779, leaving a body of work that reflects the intellectual ferment of 18th-century England.

Adam Exner (1928–2023) served as a Canadian Roman Catholic prelate with a career spanning nearly five decades. Ordained in 1954, he was consecrated Bishop of Kamloops in 1974 and later appointed Archbishop of Winnipeg in 1982 and Archbishop of Vancouver in 1991. Exner was known for promoting education and social outreach, establishing new schools and community programs within his dioceses. He emphasized pastoral care and interfaith dialogue during times of societal change. After retiring in 2004, he continued to counsel church leaders and laity, leaving behind a legacy of compassionate leadership and faith-based community engagement.