Calendar Class of May 8, 2025
- Andrea Kirk Assaf
- May 8
- 2 min read
A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
Whose portrait will we see in the next medallion to the left of Pope Francis in the coming days?? That's what the whole world seems to be gathering in Piazza San Pietro to find out, all closely watching a tiny chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. This morning the McConnell Center students and I visited the Basilica of St. Paul-outside-the-walls, where Pope Francis' portrait was installed in 2013. All the mosaic portraits are created by the Vatican Mosaic Studio, which the students and I visited just a few days ago, and where we saw a copy of the portrait pictured here. At this very moment, Marie-Therese and I are heading down the street to see the hopefully white smoke come out of that chimney, and find out whose likeness the Vatican Mosaic Studio will be reproducing for the next mosaic medallion!
Liturgical: Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”
Acts 8:26-40
Sanctoral: Peter of Tarentaise (1102 – 1174)
We probably know a lot of people who would welcome the chance to receive some honor or honorary position. They relish the thought of the glamour and glory. But saints like Peter of Tarentaise remind us that humility and the avoidance of glory is the way of the Gospel.
Human: Birthday of Edward Gibbon (1737): a video on Gibbon's 5 reasons for the success of the early Christians in Rome
1945 V-E Day: World War II ends in Europe after Germany signs an unconditional surrender
Italian: Affascinante (fascinating / attractive)
Quote: “[T]he blessed Peter, the chosen, the preeminent, the first among the disciples, for whom alone with himself the Savior paid the tribute [Matt. 17:27], quickly grasped and understood their meaning. And what does he say? ‘Behold, we have left all and have followed you’ [Matt. 19:27; Mark 10:28].”
-Clement of Alexandria, “Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved?” 21:3–5 [A.D. 200]
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