Calendar Class of November 25, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Carpe Christum! For our final on-site Art and Architecture class, we paid our respects to the Apostle of Rome, St. Philip Neri, at the church he built, the "Chiesa Nuova," originally named Santa Maria in Vallicella, where the traditions Neri began are alive and well. Next, we venerated the relic of Mantua at the Basilica of San Salvatore in Lauro, where it is on display for the first time in history only until the end of the day. This church, too, is keeping popular devotions alive in the heart of Rome. Finally, we visited a display in the cloister next door on the now completed renovation of the Basilica of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem by an Italian restoration company. There, the students could reflect upon the connection between Rome, dubbed "The New Jerusalem," and the Holy Land. Constantine, besides all the basilicas he had built in Rome, also ordered the construction of the original Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Ironically, it was also the Emperor Constantine who declared his new capital of Constantinople to be the "new Rome." History has proved otherwise, however, thanks to his mother St. Helena having relocated so many precious relics from the Holy Land to Rome, where they are still preserved and venerated today. Rome also has a humble saint to thank for its continuity, who, over a millennia later, breathed new life into ancient Christian traditions from the Holy Land, introduced them to Rome, and threw in a few new ones to boot, making Rome to ultimate pilgrimage destination. Carpe Roma, Urbs Aeterna!

Liturgical: Tuesday of the 34th Week of Ordinary Time

They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.

Luke 21:5-11

Sanctoral: Catherine of Alexandria (d. c. 310)

According to the Legend of St. Catherine, this young woman converted to Christianity after receiving a vision. At the age of 18, she debated 50 pagan philosophers. Amazed at her wisdom and debating skills, they became Christians—as did about 200 soldiers and members of the emperor’s family. All of them were martyred.

 Sentenced to be executed on a spiked wheel, Catherine of Alexandria touched the wheel and it shattered. She was beheaded. Centuries later, angels are said to have carried the body of Saint Catherine to a monastery at the foot of Mt. Sinai.

Devotion to her spread as a result of the Crusades. Catherine of Alexandria was invoked as the patroness of students, teachers, librarians and lawyers. Catherine is one of the 14 Holy Helpers, venerated especially in Germany and Hungary.

Human: 571 BC – King Servius Tulius celebrated the triumph after victory over the Etruscans.

1177 Battle of Montgisard: Baldwin IV of Jerusalem defeats Saladin and a larger Ayyubid force

​1783 Britain evacuates New York City, its last military position in the United States

First sword-swallower performance in the U.S. – 1817

Last log entry for Mary Celeste before crew disappeared – 1872

Greenback Party (originally, National Independent Party) organized – 1874

Albert Einstein formulated his general theory of relativity – 1915

The first door to King Tut’s tomb was opened – 1922

Natural: Creamy Pumpkin Pie

Italian: Sacco (sack / bag)

The word sacco in Italian has several meanings. It can mean a sack, the punching bag you hit at the gym, or even a big pile of something. We also use it informally to mean “a ton” or “loads.”

Extra: How to Set a Table Properly: A Simple Guide to Table Settings for Any Occasion

Quote: "The soul, enlightened by faith, judges of things in a very different way to those who, having only the standard of the senses by which to measure them, ignore the inestimable treasure they contain. The soul that recognizes the will of God in every smallest event, and also in those that are most distressing and direful, receives all with an equal joy, pleasure, and respect. It throws open all its doors to receive with honor what others fear and fly from with horror. The outward appearance may be mean and contemptible, but beneath this abject garb the heart discovers and honors the majesty of the king. The deeper the abasement of his entry in such a guise and in secret, the more does the heart become filled with love."

Abandonment to Divine Providence by Fr Jean Pierre de Caussade