January 15

William Bickerton was born in Leek, Staffordshire, England, in 1815 and emigrated to the United States in 1835. After converting to the Latter Day Saint movement, he experienced doctrinal disagreements that led him to establish his own branch, the Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite). As its third President, he guided the community's early development, emphasizing prayer, fellowship, and evangelism. Bickerton oversaw the construction of meetinghouses and expanded missionary efforts across the eastern United States. His leadership solidified the sect's identity and practices. He died in 1905, leaving the Bickertonites as a distinctive Latter Day Saint denomination.

Mary MacKillop (1842-1909) was an Australian nun of Scottish descent. In 1866 she co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart to educate rural children. Her order emphasized simple living, poverty, and service to the poor. Despite facing ecclesiastical challenges and temporary excommunication, she continued her mission. Canonized in 2010, she remains a beloved figure in Australian Catholic history.

Nathan Söderblom (1866-1931) served as Archbishop of Uppsala and primate of the Church of Sweden. He championed ecumenism and convened the 1925 World Conference on Faith and Order. His efforts sought to bridge denominational divides and promote peace after World War I. In 1930, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for fostering international church cooperation. Söderblom was also a respected historian and academic in theology and Scandinavian studies.

Édouard Gagnon was born in Quebec in 1918 and was ordained as a priest in 1943.\nHe served as Archbishop of Regina before moving to the Roman Curia and heading several commissions.\nIn 1976, Pope Paul VI created him Cardinal, recognizing his contributions to liturgical scholarship.\nAs Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, he oversaw global liturgical reforms and sacramental discipline.\nHe was a key figure in implementing the Second Vatican Council's reforms.\nCardinal Gagnon passed away in 2007, remembered for his scholarship and leadership in the Church.

Born in Philadelphia, John Joseph O'Connor was ordained a priest in 1945 and later served in various diplomatic roles for the Vatican. He was appointed Archbishop of New York in 1984 and elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1985. O'Connor became a prominent voice on social and moral issues, advocating for the poor and voicing opposition to abortion and capital punishment. He oversaw significant growth in the Archdiocese of New York and was deeply involved in city affairs. Cardinal O'Connor's leadership was marked by his pastoral care and media outreach, including televised Masses that reached a broad audience.