February 19

Domenico Grimani was an Italian cardinal of the Catholic Church in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Born into the influential Grimani family of Venice, he was elevated to the cardinalate in the early 16th century. He held multiple ecclesiastical offices and played a significant role in church affairs. Grimani supported humanist scholars and the arts in Renaissance Italy. He remained active in cultural and religious circles until his death in 1523.

Melchior Klesl was an Austrian cardinal and bishop born in 1552. He served as Bishop of Vienna and became a trusted adviser to the Habsburg emperors during the Counter-Reformation. Klesl played a significant role in implementing Catholic reforms and advancing the Church's influence in the Holy Roman Empire. He sought to reconcile competing religious factions through diplomacy while upholding Catholic orthodoxy. His close involvement in imperial affairs earned him both support and controversy at court. Klesl continued to influence church policy after his elevation to cardinal in 1615. He died in 1630, remembered for his combined roles as church leader and political diplomat.

Émilie Gamelin was born in Montreal in 1800 and joined religious life after personal losses and a vocation calling. She founded the Sisters of Providence in 1843 to serve widows, orphans, the elderly, and the poor in Montreal. Under her leadership, the congregation established schools, hospitals, and social services across Canada. Her compassionate work during cholera outbreaks and economic hardship earned widespread respect. Gamelin’s legacy endures through ongoing charitable ministries and her beatification by the Catholic Church. She is remembered for her humility, practical leadership, and unwavering commitment to social justice.

Choekyi Gyaltsen (1938–1989) was recognized as the 10th Panchen Lama at the age of five and played a central role in Tibetan religious life. He received traditional monastic education in Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan literature, becoming one of Buddhism’s most learned leaders. Initially cooperating with Chinese authorities, he later advocated for Tibetan cultural preservation and religious freedom. His outspokenness led to periods of house arrest and political tension, reflecting the complex history of Tibet-China relations. Choekyi Gyaltsen authored key works on Buddhist doctrine and Tibetan history, leaving a lasting spiritual and cultural legacy.

Born in 1951 in Jhang, Pakistan, Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is a renowned Islamic scholar and legal expert. He founded Minhaj-ul-Quran in 1981, an international movement promoting interfaith dialogue, education, and social welfare. Dr. Qadri has authored over a hundred books on Islamic law, principles, and spirituality. He entered politics by establishing the Pakistan Awami Tehreek and has campaigned for electoral reform and anti-corruption measures. Qadri is also known for issuing a groundbreaking fatwa condemning terrorism and advocating for peace initiatives around the world. His lectures and writings have reached millions, making him a prominent voice in contemporary Islamic thought.