Calendar Class of May 24, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Being jostled around in a mob of humanity in a Zara store is a very different experience than being shoulder to shoulder in a sea of pilgrims in Piazza San Pietro, as I discovered today. Not a single face sported a smile in the long lines of customers waiting to pay for their purchases on any of the four floors of the store this afternoon, whilst during the recent gigantic gatherings for the papal election and inaugural Mass, a general giddiness and joy swept through the crowd, erupting in cheers of "Viva il Papa!" and chants of "Papa Leone!"

Fortunately, just outside the Zara store off of via del Corso is the small church of Santa Maria in Via, the home of the icon "Our Lady of the Well." There, Cordelia was able to refresh and revive my body and soul after the horrendous shopping experience by bringing me small cups of cold water from the well and lighting a prayer candle. The custodian of the well gave her a large bottle of holy water to take home. I rewarded her charitable act towards her mother with some high-quality gelato afterwards at Lucciano's gelateria.

Liturgical: Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

John 15:18-21

Sanctoral: Today the Church in Australia celebrates the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians. Mary Help of Christians was adopted as patron of the new Church of Australia in 1844, at a significant time in their history. British settlement was just over fifty years old, the transportation of convicts was coming to an end, and the first elections in Australian history had been held in 1843. Issues of land, immigration and education had begun to surface and the Church was involved in these social problems. The Holy See confirmed the patronage in 1852.

In 2007 Pope Benedict XVI designated today as the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China. The Holy Father called on all Catholics throughout the world to unite in prayer for the Church in China. He personally composed the text of the prayer to be used to Our Lady of Sheshan. The idea for a Day of Prayer to be celebrated each year on May 24 was issued by Benedict XVI in his Letter to Chinese Catholics in 2007.

Human: Birthday of Queen Victoria (British monarch) – 1819

15 BC– a Roman general was born – Germanicus, son of Drusus and Antonia Minor, daughter of the triumvir Mark Antony. According to Tacitus. Germanicus had outstanding physical and spiritual qualities that endeared him the recognition and love of the Romans. He was the beloved brother of Claudius, and also a favorite figure of the Roman people. From an early age he participated in war campaigns. He won many victories, leading the army in Pannonia and Dalmatia. He was considered an outstanding leader, and at the same time he was liked by the legionaries.

Natural: Crop circle discovered in Haysville, Kansas – 2003

Italian: How Long Does It Take to Learn Italian?

Quote: "We will not have failure - only success and new learning."

--Queen Victoria