Calendar Class of March 12, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

While waiting for the bus at the stop right next to the Colosseum (!) yesterday, Valentina and I were able to observe the on-going (never-ending) work on and around the Colosseum, as well as the Arch of Constantine in the background. What's missing from this view is the statue that gave its name to the Colosseum (whose official name is actually the Flavian Amphitheatre) -- the Colossus of Nero.

What really caught our attention, however, was the blanket of dandelions lighting up the green Spring carpet. As you may have noticed, Spring has come to Rome quite early this year. Yesterday we saw the first blooms of Wisteria, which is at least several weeks ahead of its usual schedule. The abundance of wisteria in Rome, which is actually an invasive vine, transforms the city of Rome into a fairyland, to the extent that there are "wisteria walk itineraries"! Highly recommended to capture the magic of the season.

Liturgical: Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

Today is Ember Wednesday, the beginning of the Spring or Lent Embertide. There are two principal objects for the Ember Days of this period of the year: the first is to offer to God the season of Spring, and, by fasting and prayer, to draw down His blessing upon it; the second is to ask Him to enrich with His choicest graces the priests and sacred ministers who are to receive their Ordination on Saturday. See also Contemporary Observation of Ember Days and Lenten Ember Days for more information.

Here is some background on the Roman roots of the Ember Days tradition. "The English title for these days, 'Ember,' is derived from their Latin name: Quatuor Temporum, meaning the 'Four Times' or 'Four Seasons.'"

Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19

For I know my transgressions,    

and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you alone, have I sinned,    

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are justified in your sentence    

and blameless when you pass judgment.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,    

and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Sanctoral: The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Luigi Giovanni Orione, F.D.P. (1872-1940) (also known as Aloysius). He was an Italian priest who was active in answering the social needs of his nation as it faced the social upheavals of the late 19th century. To this end, he founded a religious institute of men. St. Luigi was canonized by St. John Paul II on May 16, 2004.

St. Innocent I (d. 417), 40th pope of the early Church is also commemorated. Pope Innocent was a friend of Saint John Chrysostom. He reigned from 402-417. So much of his work was battling various heresies and schisms: Novatianism, Montanism, Arianism, Pelagianism and Priscillianism. He was pope during the sack of Rome by Alaric the Goth in 410.

Blessed Angela Salawa, Poland +1922

Born in Siepraw, near Kraków, Poland, she was the 11th child of Bartlomiej and Ewa Salawa. In 1897, she moved to Kraków where her older sister Therese lived. Angela immediately began to gather together and instruct young women domestic workers. During World War I, she helped prisoners of war without regard for their nationality or religion. The writings of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross were a great comfort to her. Angela gave great service in caring for soldiers wounded in World War I. After 1918, her health did not permit her to exercise her customary apostolate. Addressing herself to Christ, she wrote in her diary, “I want you to be adored as much as you were destroyed.” In another place, she wrote, “Lord, I live by your will. I shall die when you desire; save me because you can.”

Human: 538 Witiges, King of the Ostrogoths, ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving the city in the hands of the victorious Byzantine general Belisarius

1455 First record of Johannes Gutenberg's Bible, a letter dated this day by Enea Silvio Piccolomini refers to the Bible printed a year earlier

1918 Fearing foreign invasion, Vladimir Lenin shifts revolutionary Russia's capital from Petrograd (St. Petersburg) to Moscow

Natural: Why Does Pollen Cause Allergies? | Nature’s Hidden Triggers

Italian: Vita (life)

Quote: “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”

— Charles Dickens, Great Expectations