Calendar Class of May 26, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Today we felt as though we had accidentally walked onto an Italian movieset when we followed a crowd of parishioners into an inner courtyard at the Chiesa Nuova and found a live band in vintage attire, the Dune Buggy Street Band, playing the most delightful and festive tunes to celebrate the parish's patron saint, Philip Neri. The "apostle of joy," as he is called, would have been in their midst, cutting a rug just like the oratorio priests present!

Liturgical: Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Brothers and sisters:

Rejoice in the Lord always.

I shall say it again:  rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all.

The Lord is near.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence

and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

Sanctoral: Today is the Memorial of St. Philip Neri (1515-1595), who was born in Florence and died in Rome. He lived a spotless childhood in Florence. Later he came to Rome and after living for fifteen years as a pilgrim and hermit was ordained a priest. He gradually gathered around him a group of priests and established the Congregation of the Oratory. He was a man of original character and of a happy, genial and winning disposition. A great educator of youth, he spent whole nights in prayer, had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and burned with an unbounded love for mankind. He died on the feast of Corpus Christi.

The confraternity named in his honor has been very busy during this Jubilee Year- here's a video!

And here's a little video on the activities that earned him the name "Apostle of Rome"!

Human: Memorial Day

The custom of honoring ancestors by cleaning cemeteries and decorating graves is an ancient and worldwide tradition, but the specific origin of Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was first known, are unclear. In early rural America, this duty was usually performed in late summer and was an occasion for family reunions and picnics. After the Civil War, America’s need for a secular, patriotic ceremony to honor its military dead became prominent, as monuments to fallen soldiers were erected and dedicated, and ceremonies centering on the decoration of soldiers’ graves were held in towns and cities throughout the nation.

No less than 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, and for many years, states observed the holiday on different dates. By federal law, however, Memorial Day is now celebrated on the last Monday in May. Since it all started with the Civil War, you might want to brush up on your knowledge of this event by visiting the Library of Congress Civil War collection, which includes more than a thousand photographs.

Learn more about Memorial Day here!

Happy Birthday, Felicia Annette Alexandra Kirk Flores!!

Natural: Canada and the U.S. signed the Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty – 1981; Millions of frogs forced closure of Egnatia Highway in Greece – 2010

Italian: Magari (maybe / if only)

Quote: "Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if he wants anything of you, He will fit you for the work and give you strength."

Philip Neri