April 18

William Harrison was born in 1534 and served as an English clergyman before gaining fame as a chronicler. His most notable work, 'Description of England', was published in the 1577 edition of Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles. In this richly detailed survey, he examined English society, customs, and institutions from the monarchy to rural life. His observations provided one of the earliest comprehensive portraits of Elizabethan England. Shakespeare and other playwrights are believed to have drawn upon his descriptions for their works. Harrison continued his ecclesiastical duties until his death in 1593, leaving a lasting contribution to English historiography.

Giacomo Carissimi was born in 1605 and served as chapel master at the Jesuit Collegio Germanico in Rome. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of the Baroque oratorio, with works like 'Jephte' and 'Jonas' becoming models for later composers. Carissimi composed over 150 cantatas, motets, and sacred works, blending emotional expressivity with contrapuntal mastery. His music circulated throughout Europe, influencing figures such as Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Jean-Baptiste Lully. As a teacher, he trained a generation of composers who carried his style beyond Italy. Carissimi's contributions helped shape the future of Western sacred music until his death in 1674.

Karl Josef Becker was a leading Catholic theologian who served the Church through both his academic work and service in the Vatican. A member of the Society of Jesus, he taught theology at renowned institutions before being elevated to cardinal. Becker’s research on doctrinal matters and his involvement in interfaith discussions advanced the Church’s engagement with modern theological challenges. His intellectual rigor and pastoral sensitivity earned him respect among clergy and scholars worldwide.