Calendar Class of March 15, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

A great turn-out today for the annual reenactment of the assassination of Julius Caesar on the actual spot of the assassination at the Theater of Pompey, now the Largo Argentina. This historic commemoration, and others, are kept alive by the Gruppo Storico Romano!

Liturgical: Saturday of the First Week of Lent readings and Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Matthew 5:43-48

Sanctoral: Saint Louise de Marillac, France +1660

Human: Beware, today is the Ides of March! "It is said that Caesar, the Roman general and dictator, received a similar message on March 15, 44 B.C. He did not take the warning to heart and was assassinated by a group of senators. The plot, led by enemies-turned-friends Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, was carried out in the [Theater of Pompey] in Rome. It is said that those who took part in Caesar’s killing believed it would save the Roman Republic. Others have speculated that Caesar’s calendar reform and the rejection of long-held Roman traditions led to his demise."

Shakespeare has given us Caesar's parting words that we still repeat today-- "Et tu, Brute?" Here is the Charleton Heston movie version.

Today's reenactment in Rome.

Natural: 7 Changes as Earth Marches Slowly Towards Spring

Italian: 10 Famous Italian Pop Singers for your Playlist

You are probably surprised to see me post this as, if you know me, you know that I'm not a fan of pop music, but one of the stars listed happens to be our neighbor (Renato Zero), so it's good to get to know one's neighbors.

Quote: “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more”

Marcus Brutus (Act III, Scene 2) "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare