Calendar Class of May 15, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Let the competition-of-the-day begin! Competition-loving former student Jay has arrived, and the girls right away appointed him judge of their dishes. Watching cooking shows, especially ones incorporating competition, is one of their favorite past-times with big sister Maya, the original cook of the four siblings (we still have a video of her teaching us how to make French toast at age 3!). To complement all this cooking, I hope Jay will also inspire us to take up the planking challenge again. He was, if I remember correctly, the first student to steal my plank champion title, and I'm ready to reclaim it. Stay tuned...

Liturgical: Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”

John 13:16-20

Sanctoral: Isidore the Farmer, Spain (1070 – May 15, 1130)

Isidore has become the patron of farmers and rural communities. In particular, he is the patron of Madrid, Spain, and of the United States National Rural Life Conference. He died May 15, 1130, and was declared a saint in 1622, with Saints Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri. Together, the group is known in Spain as “the five saints.”

This just in: Yesterday in Lebanon, a very saintly lay woman went to her eternal reward. You can read her incredible story here.

Human: Roman history on this day-- The day of the Tiber River was celebrated. On this day the Vestals offered sacrifices to the Tiber (the Roman god Tiberinus) to ensure a constant supply of water for the remaining crop period.

How was the Tiber River essential in forming Rome's ancient and Catholic identity?

Mercuralia was celebrated, known as the Festival of Mercury. Mercury was the god of merchants and commerce. On this day, the tradesmen sprinkled their heads, ships and items with water taken from the well in Porta Capena. They did so to gain favor with Mercury, whose temple was located in the Circus Maximus.

Natural: All about Herbs-- Cooking with Fresh Herbs, and 12 Uses for Mint Leaves for Health and for Home

Italian: Sfarfallare (to flit / to flutter)

Quote: “We’re seeing more miracles in these past two years than we have in the past decade.”

--Father Louis Matar (the Maronite priest who keeps a tally of the saint’s miracles)

A video intro to St. Charbel