Calendar Class of August 22, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Buona Festa! This regal mother and child wax scuplture is older than I am and has been carted around by me from place to place my whole adult life. Surprisingly, it is still in one piece. Yesterday I visited a local candle making shop, which gave me the idea to feature this wax work of art for today's feast of the Queenship of Mary. Here, she and her Prince of Peace are being greeted by the rising sun, upon whom they smile. Today, Pope Leo has asked the whole world to fast and pray for an end to conflict and war. Regina della Pace, prega per noi!

Liturgical: Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mas readings and Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflections today.

For this year's Feast of the Queenship of Mary, Pope Leo called for a day of prayer and fasting for peace. See the end of his General Audience of August 20.

"Next Friday, 22 August, we will celebrate the memorial of Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is the Mother of believers here on earth, and is also invoked as Queen of Peace, while our earth continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in many other regions of the world. I invite all the faithful to devote the day of 22 August to fasting and prayer, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice, and to dry the tears of those who suffer as a result of the ongoing armed conflicts. Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path to peace."

Our Beautiful Queen: Lessons on the Queenship of Mary

Prayer to Regina della Pace.

Sanctoral: Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

St. John Kemble (1599-1679) was born in England to a prominent Catholic family when Catholicism was outlawed in the country. He was ordained a priest in 1625 and ministered in England as an itinerant priest for fifty-three years. Although persecution of Catholics was rampant, in his particular region Catholics were generally not harassed. In the infamous "Popish Plot" of 1678, Protestant politicians began a violent crackdown on Catholics, particularly on priests. Although 80 years old at the time, Father John Kemble was arrested. He was warned in advance but declined to leave his flock, saying, "According to the course of nature, I have but a few years to live. It will be an advantage to suffer for my religion and, therefore, I will not abscond." Although he was found innocent of any involvement in the "Popish Plot," he was condemned for being a Catholic priest and sentenced to death by being hanged, drawn, and quartered on August 22, 1679. His last words, addressed to the crowd were: "The failure of the authorities in London to connect me to the plot makes it evident that I die only for profession of the Catholic religion, which was the religion that first made this Kingdom Christian." He was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970. St. John Kemble is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

Human: Birthday of Claude Debussy (composer) – 1862, John Lee Hooker (singer) – 1917, Ray Bradbury (science fiction author) – 1920

Natural: Drying Your Own Herbs for Herbal Tea

Italian: Ortica (nettle)

Quote: “When we appeal to the throne of grace we do so through Mary, honoring God by honoring His Mother, imitating Him by exalting her, touching the most responsive chord in the Sacred Heart of Christ with the sweet name of Mary.”-St. Robert Bellarmine