891 A.D.
Election of Pope Formosus, 111th successor of Peter. He might have been the last to have suspected being elevated to Supreme Pontiff after being excommunicated by Pope John VIII for crowning Arnolfo king of Italy who would ultimately become Emperor of Germany. But he was reinstated after John's death and went on to play a major role in converting Bulgaria to Christianity thanks to his zeal. His pontificate lasted five years.
1101 A.D.
Death of Saint Bruno, confessor and ecclesiastical writer and founder of the Carthusians. For more on this saint, see TODAY'S LITURGY.
1552 A.D.
Birth of Matteo Ricci founder of Chinese Missions. This Jesuit brought the faith to Goa and China and died in Peking on May 11, 1610.
1689 A.D.
Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni is elected the 241st successor of Peter, becoming Pope Alexander VIII. His election came through the intervention of King Louis XIV of France and he came to an agreement with him on the four propositions of the so-called "Gallican liberty." He gave help to the king of Poland and the Venutians in their struggles with the Turks. He died on February 1, 1691 after a two year papacy.
1791 A.D.
Death of Saint Mary Frances of the Five Wounds of Jesus. This Franciscan Tertiary suffered the mystical stigmata and was canonized by Pius IX in 1867.
1849 A.D.
Death of Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, Religious Founder. For more on her, see TODAY'S LITURGY.
1979 A.D.
On John Paul II's first official trip to the United States as Supreme Pontiff, he becomes the first Pope ever to step foot in the White House when he meets with President Jimmy Carter on his day in the nation's capitol.
1983 A.D.
Death of Cardinal Terence Cooke, Archbishop of New York at the age of 62.
1985 A.D.
Beatification of Diego Luis de San Vitore, Jose M. Rubio y Peralto , and Francisco Garate - all marytred Jesuit priests.