Calendar Class of October 13, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Carpe Octobris! October is in full swing here in Rome, with harvest festivals happening all throughout the surrounding region. This week I decided to try something new and provide a preview of the week ahead on Sunday, highlighting any connections to Rome. As we well know that all roads lead to Rome, that wasn't a difficult task. Buona settimana!

Liturgical: Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time

"...Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 1:1-7

On this day in Fatima in 1917, the marvelous Miracle of the Sun took place in the sky before 70,000 witnesses.

Sanctoral: St. Edward the Confessor (1003-1066 A.D.) was a prince born to the King and Queen of England. His family was exiled from the kingdom when the Danish took control of the country in 1016 A.D. Edward spent much of his life in exile, probably in Normandy. Witnessing the folly of worldly ambition, he became attracted to the life of the Church and grew in piety. When opportunity arose he was persuaded to reclaim the throne of England, which he did in 1042 as one of its last Anglo-Saxon kings. The people supported his rule, and he gained a reputation as a just king committed to the welfare of his subjects. He thwarted invasions, ended unjust taxes, and was profoundly generous to the poor. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity throughout his kingdom. He married a beautiful woman to satisfy the people's desire for a queen, but, having already made a vow of chastity, he obtained his wife's agreement to live together as brother and sister. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, which he built, and after his death many miracles were ascribed to his intercession. This lead to his canonization in 1161, and in 1163 the transferral of his body to a new tomb. This was presided over by St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who found Edward's body to be incorrupt. Edward was called "The Confessor" to distinguish him from St. Edward the Martyr. He is buried behind the high altar in Westminster Abbey. He is the patron of kings, difficult marriages, separated spouses, and the English royal family.

Human: Canadian Thanksgiving, Indigenous People's Day, Columbus Day!

Natural: The Black Squirrel and the Walnut

The turning of the season reveals new wonders in my backyard.

Italian: Avere la luna storta (to be in a bad mood)

It is widely believed that la luna has both good and bad effects on human beings. It can make people calm and peaceful, but it can also disturb them. Just as it affects the tides, it is believed to also affect the human mind. In fact, centuries ago, many believed that the moon could drive people to madness. One man, accused of homicide, even claimed his innocence by blaming the moon!

Quote: Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

–Robert Frost (1874–1963)