April 15

Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in the Punjab region, founding a new spiritual tradition. He traveled extensively across South Asia and the Middle East, spreading his message of one God. His hymns emphasized equality, service (seva), and the rejection of caste distinctions. These teachings were later enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the central text of Sikhism. Guru Nanak established patterns of communal worship and the langar (community kitchen). He passed away in 1539, leaving a lasting spiritual and social legacy.

Guru Arjan Dev was born in 1563 and became the fifth Sikh leader in 1581. He organized hymns of Sikh spirituality into the Adi Granth, the early version of the Guru Granth Sahib. Under his guidance, the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar was constructed. He emphasized the principles of equality, social justice, and devotion. Arrested under Mughal Emperor Jahangir, he endured torture and died in prison in 1606. His martyrdom strengthened Sikh resolve and solidified communal identity.

Francesco Maria Brancaccio was born in 1592 in Naples and entered the clergy at a young age. He was appointed cardinal by Pope Urban VIII in 1641, serving in the Roman Curia. Brancaccio participated in diplomatic missions and church reforms during the Counter-Reformation. He held the title of Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Vallicella and later optated other churches. Known for his pastoral care, he advocated for education and charity in his dioceses. He died in 1675, remembered for his commitment to ecclesiastical administration and reform.

Francis Xavier DiLorenzo was born in Rochester, New York, in 1942 and ordained a priest in 1967. He served in various parishes before being appointed auxiliary bishop of Atlanta in 1991. In 2004, he became the ninth bishop of Richmond, where he supported education initiatives and pastoral outreach. Known for his commitment to social programs, he worked to strengthen Catholic schools and charitable services across Virginia. He passed away in 2017, leaving a legacy of pastoral care and community engagement.