April 23

Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, known as the Vilna Gaon, transformed Jewish learning with his analytical approach to Talmud and Halacha. He authored critical commentaries on biblical and Kabbalistic texts, emphasizing text accuracy and linguistic clarity. Rejecting popular movements, he led a revival of traditional Lithuanian yeshiva study methods. His disciples spread his teachings across Eastern Europe, founding major centers of Talmudic scholarship. The Vilna Gaon's intellectual legacy continues to shape Orthodox Jewish study and practice worldwide.

Born in Milan and raised in Lyon, Frédéric Ozanam studied law and literature at the Sorbonne. He gained acclaim for his scholarly writings on medieval literature and French history. In 1833, moved by the plight of the poor, Ozanam and fellow students established the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, a charitable organization still active today. He lectured as a professor at the Sorbonne and advocated for social justice grounded in Catholic teaching. Ozanam's work influenced the development of modern Catholic social thought and charitable practices. He traveled extensively, documenting European social conditions. Beatified in 1997, Ozanam is remembered as a model of faith-driven intellectual and humanitarian commitment.

Born in Montemurlo, Italy in 1921, Cleto Bellucci was ordained in 1944 and later entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. He served the Holy See as a diplomat in various countries, strengthening the Vatican's global relations. Consecrated as an archbishop in the 1970s, he returned to Italy to oversee a diocese, focusing on pastoral care, interfaith dialogue, and social outreach. Bellucci was respected for his commitment to community development and his efforts to foster unity within the church. He retired in the late 1990s and passed away in 2013, leaving behind a legacy of international ecclesiastical service.