May 23

Born in Tehran, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá was the eldest son of Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith. He spent much of his life in exile in the Ottoman Empire, where he guided the early Baháʼí community. He traveled to Europe and North America in 1911–1913 to promote Baháʼí principles of peace and unity. His teachings emphasized universal brotherhood, the equality of women and men, and the harmony of science and religion. He was knighted by King George V in 1920 for his philanthropic work during World War I. He died in Haifa in 1921 and is revered as the exemplar of Baháʼí teachings.

Paul Augustin Mayer was a German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church known for his service in the Vatican. Born in Bavaria in 1911, he entered the Benedictine order and was ordained in 1934. He taught canon law and later served as Abbot of Maria Laach Abbey. Elevated to Cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1976, he led the Congregation for the Eastern Churches and contributed to liturgical reform. He oversaw dialogues between the Catholic Church and Eastern rites, fostering unity and understanding. He retired in 1982 and died in Rome in 2010, leaving a legacy of scholarship and ecumenical outreach.

Barbara Ward, Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth was an influential English economist, writer, and lay Catholic leader. A pioneering advocate for international development, she co-founded the Institute of Development Studies. Ward's writings, including the bestseller The Rich Nations and the Poor Nations (1962), shaped postwar economic policy. She served as a delegate to the UN General Assembly and advised world leaders on ecological conservation. As a passionate journalist, she edited Oasis magazine and wrote columns for major newspapers. Her faith informed her work on social justice, and she was appointed to the Vatican's Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace. Her legacy endures in global development initiatives and contemporary environmental movements.

Born in 1926, he devoted his life to the service of the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained a priest and later consecrated as Bishop of Mangalore. As bishop, he prioritized pastoral care, education, and social welfare in his diocese. He led the diocese through periods of social and political change. Remembered for his compassionate leadership, he served until his death in 1996.

Born on May 23, 1949 in Louisville, Kentucky, Daniel DiNardo was ordained as a priest in 1975 and served as bishop of Sioux City before being appointed Archbishop of Galveston-Houston in 2006. Elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007, he leads one of the largest Catholic archdioceses in the United States. He has held leadership roles in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and is an advocate for social justice, immigration reform, and interfaith dialogue. Under his guidance, the archdiocese has expanded its outreach and charitable initiatives, impacting thousands across Texas.