February 26

Antoine Augustin Calmet was born in 1672 and entered the Benedictine order at a young age. He became a leading biblical scholar, authoring extensive commentaries on Scripture and historical studies of ancient civilizations. Calmet's works, including The Apparitions of the Dead, combined rigorous research with theological insight. He corresponded with prominent intellectuals across Europe, bridging faith and Enlightenment scholarship. Calmet's moderate approach earned respect in both religious and academic circles. He died in 1757, leaving a rich legacy of writings that continue to inform biblical and historical studies.

Johan Ernst Gunnerus was a Norwegian bishop of the Church of Norway and a pioneering botanist and zoologist. Born in 1718, he served as Bishop of Nidaros and became the first professor of natural history at the University of Copenhagen's Trondheim branch. He co-founded the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters in 1760, promoting scientific research in Norway. Gunnerus published influential works describing the flora and fauna of Scandinavia, including detailed taxonomic studies. His meticulous observations laid the foundation for modern Northern European botanical and zoological studies. He died in 1773, leaving a lasting legacy in both the church and the natural sciences.

Gian Francesco Albani was elevated to the College of Cardinals in the mid-18th century and served as Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina. He held the office of Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals, overseeing church administration. Albani played a key diplomatic role, negotiating with Catholic monarchs and representing the Holy See in European affairs. A noted patron of the arts, he commissioned architectural and artistic projects in Rome, enhancing the city's religious heritage. He died in 1803, remembered for his administrative acumen and support of ecclesiastical art and education.

Anders Chydenius was a Finnish economist, philosopher and Lutheran priest who championed freedom of trade and civil liberties. Born in 1729, he served as a parish priest while writing influential works on political economy and natural rights. His 1765 pamphlet 'The National Gain' argued for free enterprise, press freedom and government accountability. Chydenius's ideas anticipated classical liberalism and influenced later European economic thought. He actively participated in Swedish Diets, advocating reforms that laid groundwork for modern welfare states. He died in 1803, leaving a legacy as the 'Adam Smith of the North'.

Matija Nenadović was a Serbian Orthodox priest and political leader born in 1777. He played a central role in the First Serbian Uprising against Ottoman rule, serving as a delegate and negotiator. In 1805, he was appointed the first Prime Minister of Serbia, helping to establish the duties of the emerging government. A noted historian, he documented the uprising in his memoirs, providing valuable insight into the period. Nenadović also supported education and church restoration, contributing to the development of Serbian national identity. He died in 1854, remembered as a founding father of independent Serbia.

Wallace Fard Muhammad emerged in Detroit in 1930, founding what became the Nation of Islam. He taught a blend of Islamic principles and Black nationalist ideas to marginalized African-Americans. Fard's precise origins and biography remain subjects of debate due to limited historical records. Under his leadership, the movement promoted economic self-sufficiency and racial pride. In 1934, he disappeared mysteriously, leaving Elijah Muhammad to guide the organization. Fard's teachings laid the foundation for the Nation of Islam's growth into a significant religious movement. His impact continues to be felt in discussions of race, religion, and civil rights in the United States.

Born in Aljustrel, José Policarpo was ordained a priest in 1959 and rose through Church ranks to become Bishop of Leiria-Fátima in 1984. In 1998, he was appointed Patriarch of Lisbon and was created cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. He participated in the 2005 and 2013 papal conclaves, guiding the Portuguese Church through social and spiritual challenges. Policarpo was respected for his pastoral care and engagement with the famous Fátima Shrine before his death in 2014.