Calendar Class of May 16, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Today I met Cordelia in a hallway of her school, which is generously decorated with famous artwork. Some of it has a second-hand knick-knack quality about it, the kind you might see when visiting your grandpa's house. Of course, not every grandpa has a life-size replica of Michelangelo's Pieta. The school hallways and walls seem to be a repository of papal art and paraphernalia (it is not only a "pontifical school", but it is also located just down the street from the Vatican, hence the close connection that resulted in the art ending up here). Cordelia stopped to pay attention to the Pieta today, perhaps for my benefit, but I'm afraid for most of the kids it's just part of the background that they either take for granted or don't understand. That got me thinking about putting together a list of works of art that I really want my kids to study and understand, to cultivate a habit of noticing and appreciating, or even criticizing. The important thing is to not allow art to become part of the wallpaper, but rather to look and find at least a few of the thousand words that a really good work of art can visually convey.

Liturgical: Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going."

John 14:1-6

Sanctoral: Margaret of Cortona (1247 – February 22, 1297)

Seeking forgiveness is sometimes difficult work. It is made easier by meeting people who, without trivializing our sins, assure us that God rejoices over our repentance. Being forgiven lifts a weight and prompts us to acts of charity.

Human: 218 AD – III Legio in the camp at Emesa proclaimed Elagabalus the emperor, Caracalla’s alleged son. The mother and grandmother of Varius Avitus Bassianus (his full name) convinced the military units stationed in the East (with money) that he was actually the son of Caracalla. The army moved against the praetorian prefect – Macrinus. To strengthen the legitimization of his power, Elagabalus adopted the names of Caracalla: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

1792 Twenty-four merchants form the New York Stock Exchange at 70 Wall Street

1803 John Hawkins and Richard French patent the Reaping Machine

1861 The first color photograph, of a tartan ribbon is shown by Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell to the Royal Institution in London

Natural: Seasonal Gardening: How to Have a Lush and Beautiful Landscape All Year Round

Italian: Sottobicchiere (coaster / mat)

Quote: "A picture is worth a thousand words."