Calendar Class of February 13, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Thunder, lightning, and pouring rain in Rome this morning resulted in several bedraggled, soggy students pouring into the Villa after Art and Architecture class this morning. The silver lining on a rain cloud is the pleasure of drying out and warming up by a cozy fire with friends. Fortunately, these intrepid students from Thomas More College in New Hampshire know a thing or two about building a good fire.

Liturgical: Thursday of the 5th week of Ordinary Time

Happy is everyone who fears the Lord,

who walks in his ways.

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.

Psalm 128

Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections today.

Sanctoral: The Roman Martyrology commemorates Bl. Christine of Spoleto (1435-1458). Born Agostina Camozzi in Osteno, Como, Italy, she was the daughter of a well-known doctor. After several years of living contrary to God's ways, she gave herself to Jesus, became an Augustinian Tertiary, and gained a reputation as a holy woman and miracle worker.

Human: Roman history on this day

The Feast of Parentalia started. During these days, the Romans visited graves of their ancestors in cemeteries outside the city, beyond the sacred border of pomerium. They brought them gifts (sacrificia): flowers – usually violets, salt, wheat, bread dipped in wine, milk and wine, feeding them in that way they would prevent them from harming the living. The celebrations ended on 21 February.

389 BC – Roman commander Marcus Furius Camillus took a triumphal trip to Rome after defeating Volsci, Aequi and Etruscans and regained everything that was plundered by the Gauls.

194 BC – the dedication of the temple of Faunus on the Tiber Island takes place.

244 AD – Emperor Gordian III is killed either in battle or is murdered by his soldiers.

The Writer's Almanac edition today.

Natural: Astronomer Tycho Brahe outlined his solar system structure – 1588

Italian: Tè (tea)

Quote: "When a person can't find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure." --Viktor Frankl