March 26

Domenico Freschi (1634–1710) was an Italian priest and composer of the Baroque era, best known for his liturgical and choral works. Serving as a Catholic cleric, he composed masses, motets, and devotional music for church services. His compositions exhibit the ornate harmonies and counterpoint typical of 17th-century Italian music. Freschi’s music was performed across northern Italy, influencing local sacred music traditions. His dual role as priest and musician highlights the close relationship between the church and the arts during the Baroque period.

Prokop Diviš (1698–1765), also known as Father Diviš, was a Czech Augustinian priest, scientist, and inventor. He conducted groundbreaking experiments in atmospheric electricity and constructed one of the first grounded lightning rods. Diviš’s device aimed to protect buildings and crops from lightning strikes, predating similar work by Benjamin Franklin. A dedicated clergyman, he balanced his pastoral duties with scientific inquiry, publishing findings on electricity. His innovative spirit exemplified the Enlightenment’s fusion of faith and reason in 18th-century Europe.

Born in 1900, Sister Angela Maria Autsch joined the Carmelite order and dedicated her life to serving others. Arrested by the Nazis for her efforts to help Jewish inmates, she was deported to Auschwitz concentration camp. There, she ministered to prisoners, offering spiritual comfort and sharing her meager rations to relieve their suffering. Despite the brutal conditions, Autsch’s compassion and unwavering faith inspired many around her. She succumbed to typhus and died in the camp in 1941, remembered as a symbol of selfless devotion and resistance amidst atrocity.

Richard Coles first gained fame as the saxophonist and pianist in the 1980s pop duo The Communards. He transitioned to radio broadcasting, hosting programs on BBC Radio 4. Coles studied theology and was ordained as a Church of England priest in 2005. He balances parish duties with media appearances and cultural commentary. Coles has authored memoirs and books exploring faith, creativity, and identity. His dual career bridges music and ministry, making him a unique public figure.