Calendar Class of April 21, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Sede Vacante: At noon, the massive bronze bells of St. Peter's Basilica tolled 88 times, slowly and somberly, for the 88 years that Pope Francis lived on this earth. We heard the news as soon as it was announced by the Camerlengo. Not long afterwards, a group of our students joined many other pilgrims in St. Peter's square to pray for the repose of the Pope's soul. The Vatican workmen, the Fabbrica Vaticana, were already hard at work removing the hundreds of flowers cascading down the basilica steps from yesterday's joyous Easter celebration in order to transition to an official period of mourning. I happened to be there as the flower trucks were passing by the crowd and there was something of a spontaneous rush to rescue the bulbs as they passed by. I'm happy to report that the young son of my friend I was accompanying managed to snag a potted plant before the flower truck was whisked away into the safety of Vatican City, past those threatening Swiss guards. These will be busy days for all those who run the Vatican during the Sede Vacante period. Let us now begin offering prayers for them, for the College of Cardinals, and, of course, for the next Pontiff to sit upon the Chair of St. Peter!

Liturgical:Easter Monday All about the Octave of Easter here.

Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you.”

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

you hold my lot.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;

my body also rests secure.

For you do not give me up to Sheol,

or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.

In your presence there is fullness of joy;

in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Sanctoral: Anselm (1033 – April 21, 1109)

Indifferent toward religion as a young man, Anselm became one of the Church’s greatest theologians and leaders. He received the title “Father of Scholasticism” for his attempt to analyze and illumine the truths of faith through the aid of reason.

Human: Rome history on this day-- The death day of Pope Francis (2025 AD) and the birthday of Rome (753 BC)

Natural: Vestel virgins, straw, ash, blood, and bonfires- the Palilia ceremony of the Birthday of Rome explained

Italian: Baracca (hut / shed)

Quote: “If we fail to appreciate the specificity of the heart, we miss the messages that the mind alone cannot communicate; we miss out on the richness of our encounters with others; we miss out on poetry. We also lose track of history and our own past, since our real personal history is built with the heart. At the end of our lives, that alone will matter”.

--Pope Francis, from his encyclical Dilexit Nos (No.11)