Calendar Class of April 24, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Tanti Auguri, Pietro! Today, the Peter pictured in this palatial place turned five. At one end of St. Peter's Basilica we have a child just beginning his life, while at the other we have a pope lying in state who finished his earthly journey at 88 years.

Liturgical: Thursday of the Octave of Easter

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Luke 24:35-48

Sanctoral: Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577 – April 24, 1622)

Human: Robert B. Thomas's Birthday

Founder of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Born in Grafton, Massachusetts, nine years before the start of the American Revolution, Thomas was brought up on a farm in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. He was fascinated by science and at age 16 read Ferguson’s Astronomy, which he came across in his father’s library. He later wrote that “it was from the pleasing study of this work I first imbibed the idea of calculating an almanack.” With this dream in mind, he became a bookseller, taught school, built a store and bindery near the family farm, and studied astronomy in his spare time. In early 1792, he went to Boston to study mathematics under the tutelage of another almanac maker, Osgood Carlton, and that fall delivered the copy for the first edition of what he called The Farmer’s Almanac to printers Joseph Belknap and Thomas Hall. With its format and contents established, it was ready for the longest publishing tenure in American history. Although Thomas died more than 150 years ago and 12 Almanac editors have followed him, no other name but his has ever appeared on the cover of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Read more about the life and times of Robert B. Thomas.

Natural: Birthday Cake Recipes | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Birthday cakes have been a requisite part of birthday celebrations since Roman times, when the emperors offered cake all around on their birthdays. Ritual feasting is an expression of solidarity. By the Middle Ages, the rite-of-passage honey cake was surrounded by burning candles in a protective fire circle, lit to attract good spirits and bless the event. Lighting the birthday candles is still a hushed moment—and don’t forget that birthday wish, invoking powers beyond.

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man, Bake me a cake as fast as you can!

Italian: Vincitore (winner)

Quote: “Today is the oldest you have been and the youngest you will ever be. Make the most of it!” – Nicky Gumbel