Calendar Class of August 18, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Yesterday after Mass we traveled half a mile down the road from the church and went back in time to our old farm, which has been transformed into a lush and productive homestead by the new guardians of this fertile soil, Joe and Lee Ann McCormick. How their garden has grown! One reason for this is the presence of their many bees. In passing this special property into the hands of capable and passionate beekeepers with green thumbs, we inadvertently ensured the land's future vitality. Cordelia returned to her beloved apple trees and collected a plentiful harvest, along with pumpkins, zucchini, squash, and a bouquet of sunflowers. It all reminds me of these lines from Isaiah 58:11-12: The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; You will be called repairer of broken walls, restorer of streets with dwellings.

Liturgical: Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go,

sell what you have and give to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven.

Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad,

for he had many possessions.

Matthew 19:16-22

Sanctoral: Today in the Roman Martyrology is the commemoration of St. Agapitus (d. 259), a martyr of Palestrina, not far from Rome. His cult, which is very ancient, was particularly popular in the eternal city where Felix III (492) caused a church to be built in his honor. Ancient inscriptions show clearly the great confidence placed in the intercession of this martyr.

It is also the commemoration of St. Helena (248-328), empress, and mother of Constantine the Great. She discovered the True Cross in a rock-cistern near Mount Calvary, and brought many relics of the Holy Land to Rome and Constantinople.

Louis of Toulouse (February 9, 1274 – August 19, 1297)

When he died at the age of 23, Louis was already a Franciscan, a bishop, and a saint!

Human: Ancint Rome---Consuales Ludi was celebrated, which was a holiday in honor of Consus, a god who cared for grain stored in granaries. During Consualia, all horses, donkeys and mules were decorated with wreaths and released from work. At Circus Maximus there were horse races, while in its undergrounds sacrifices were offered on the Consus altar, made available only during this holiday. According to Roman legends, the Rape of the Sabine Women was supposed to happen during the Consualia.

29 BC – the Temple of Caesar was consecrated in Rome.

Death of Genghis Kahn (Mongol leader) – 1227

Virginia Dare, daughter of Ananias and Eleanor Dare, was born in Roanoke, becoming the first child to be born in America of English parents – 1587

John White, the governor of the Colony of Roanoke, returned from a trip to England for supplies and found his settlement deserted – 1590

12-year old Samantha Druce swam the English Channel – 1983

Lisette and Walter Kimmel, both 100, celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary – 2015

Starman Tesla completed its first orbit around the Sun – 2019

Natural: In the Eagle’s Nest

Once nearly lost, now restored—the Bald Eagle is a symbol of restoration and a reminder of our shared responsibility

Italian: Dare (to give)

Quote: I wish to sleep well, to have a few books, an affectionate dog that will spring upon my knees, a flock of goats, all things rustic, and to live off the soil tilled by my own hand.

—Alfonso Guillén Zelaya (1887–1947)