Calendar Class of October 11, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

There is nothing like hearing and watching the ebb and flow of the ocean tide to soothe the mind, body, and soul. These waves come from the Tyrrhenian Sea outside Rome. This beautiful body of water is named after the ancient Tyrrhenian people, identified with the Etruscans. The name comes from the Greek word for the Etruscans, Τυρσηνοί (Tyrsanoí), and the Romans referred to the sea as the Tuscum mare ("Sea of the Etruscans"). Here in Ladispoli no remnants of the Etruscan past remain, regrettably, but farther inland there are many potential field trip destinations where we can catch glimpses of the mysterious Etruscan culture that lent Rome some gods, ideas, and art (see the Etc. category below).

Liturgical: Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Sanctoral: Today is the Optional Memorial of St. John XXIII (1881-1963), pope from 1958-1963, best known for convening the Second Vatican Council. He was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II on September 3, 2000. His feast is assigned to the day on which the first session of Vatican II opened in 1962. On May 29, 2014, Pope Francis ordered the inscription of Saint John XXIII, Pope, into the General Roman Calendar.

Human: 1521 Pope Leo X titles King Henry VIII of England "Defender of the Faith"

1890 Daughters of American Revolution founded

1899 South African Boers declare war on Great Britain

1906 San Francisco Board of Education orders segregation in separate schools of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean children sparking diplomatic crisis

1945 Chinese Civil War begins between the Kuomintang government led by Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong's Communist Party

1954 Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical Ad caeli Reginam

1962 Second Vatican Council (21st ecumenical) is convened by Pope John XXIII

1986 Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev open talks at a summit in Reykjavik, Iceland

Natural: The science behind the "ocean effect"-- The sound of the ocean tide positively affects the nervous system by activating the parasympathetic, or "rest and digest," response, which lowers stress and promotes relaxation. This occurs because the rhythmic and natural sound of waves signals safety to the brain, which can decrease the activity of the amygdala, the brain's stress center. This leads to physical and mental benefits like reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, and an increase in feelings of calmness and well-being.

Italian: Ciofeca (bad cup of coffee / awful thing)

Over the years, the meaning of ciofeca has expanded to refer more broadly to anything of poor quality, turning it into a close synonym of the more common term schifezza. Another “sacred” drink it is commonly used to refer to is vino (wine). In some regions of Italy, it is even used to describe a person’s appearance, or how one is feeling.

Etc.: Etruscan field trips near Rome

You can see Etruscan remnants near Rome at the necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, and at the National Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia in Rome itself. The necropolises feature rock-cut and painted tombs, while the museum houses many Etruscan artifacts.

Book of the Day: Journal of a Soul, by Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII)

The journal contains his personal thoughts and records his spiritual growth from the age of 14 until his death. It provides insight into his faith and self-examination over a span of 68 years.

Quote: The Daily Decalogue of Pope John XXIII

Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behaviour; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.

Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.