December 28

Louise of Savoy was born in France in 1461 and entered religious life at a young age. She dedicated her life to prayer, contemplation, and charitable works within her convent. Her leadership and piety earned her respect among her fellow sisters and local community. Despite few surviving records, she is remembered for her unwavering faith and compassionate care for the poor. Her life exemplifies the role of women in the Church during the waning years of the Middle Ages.

Christoph Franz von Buseck was born in 1724 into a noble German family. He was elected Prince-Bishop of Bamberg in 1790, combining religious and secular authority. During his tenure, he navigated the turmoil of the French Revolutionary Wars impacting his principality. Buseck implemented administrative reforms and supported educational initiatives in Bamberg. Despite secularization pressures, he maintained the independence of his bishopric until his death. He passed away in 1805, remembered for his leadership and efforts to preserve ecclesiastical territories.

Bidia Dandaron was born in Irkutsk and became a leading figure in reviving Tibetan Buddhism in the Soviet Union. He studied Buddhism at Leningrad State University and traveled to study with Tibetan masters. Dandaron translated key Tibetan Buddhist texts into Russian, making them accessible to new audiences. He founded study groups and taught meditation and Buddhist philosophy under difficult political conditions. Despite repeated arrests and imprisonment by Soviet authorities, he continued his scholarly and teaching activities. Dandaron authored original works on Buddhist thought and compiled critical editions of canonical texts. His legacy lives on in Russian Buddhist communities and among scholars of Tibetan religion.

Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne is a Peruvian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained a priest in 1967 and consecrated as Archbishop of Ayacucho in 1988. In 1999, he was appointed Archbishop of Lima, one of the most influential sees in Latin America. Pope John Paul II created him Cardinal-Priest of San Camillo de Lellis in 2001. He has been known for his conservative theological positions and efforts in pastoral care. Cipriani has played a key role in social and religious dialogues in Peru.