Calendar Class of October 24, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Carpe Trastevere! The class and I, joined by Alan and Traci Cornett, had a whirlwind tour of the popular medieval quarter yesterday morning. We began at the hub of the whole neighborhood, the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, the ancient place of prophecy on account of the Fons Olei. From there we walked to Santa Maria della Scala, with the tomb of Venerable Van Thuan (there was a large pilgrim group from Vietnam celebrating Mass there), as well as the floor tomb of that exotic 16th century power couple, the Shirleys. From there we went on to explore the winding streets leading to Viale Trastevere, where we stopped in at San Crisogono to meet Blessed Anna Maria Taigi before resting for a bit in the tiny church of San Benedetto in Piscinula. After passing by sites related to our program's patron, Santa Francesca Romana, the next stop was the Basilica of Santa Cecilia with Moderno's sculpture of the saint's body as she was discovered in 1599. Just before noon we slipped into the magnificent Baroque church of Santa Maria dell'Orto, created by the fruit vendor's guild, before finishing at San Francesco a Ripa, where St Francis lived whenever he visited Rome. There, we beheld Bernini's bel composto sculpture of another famous holy matron of Trastevere, Blessed Ludovica Albertone. Wheh! I've provided lots of links to all these wonders of Trastevere in the Etc. category below.

Liturgical: Friday of the 29th Week of Ordinary Time

Psalm 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments.

You are good and do good;

teach me your statutes.

Let your steadfast love become my comfort

according to your promise to your servant.

Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my delight.

I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life.

I am yours; save me,

for I have sought your precepts.

Sanctoral: Anthony Mary Claret

(December 23, 1807 – October 24, 1870)

The “spiritual father of Cuba” was a missionary, religious founder, social reformer, queen’s chaplain, writer and publisher, archbishop, and refugee. He was a Spaniard whose work took him to the Canary Islands, Cuba, Madrid, Paris, and to the First Vatican Council.

"Humility, obedience, meekness, and love are the virtues that shine through the Cross and the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. O my Jesus, help me imitate you!”

-St. Anthony Mary Claret

Human: 79 AD- the eruption of Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. The volcanic ash which flooded Pompeii, perfectly preserved buildings and objects, which allowed us to get to know quite accurately the appearance of a Roman medium-sized city and the lives of its inhabitants. At that time, Pliny the Elder, a Roman writer and historian, was killed. Other suggested date of eruption is 24th of August.

51 AD – Domitian, Roman emperor, second son of Vespasian and the last member of the Flavian dynasty was born. During his reign he took the title of perpetual censor. He took part in the wars in Britain, Germania and against the Dacians. He contributed to the expansion of the defense system along the Danube and the Rhine. He wanted to introduce absolute power, which along with suspiciousness and proclivity for violence led to his murder.

Spain ratified treaty to cede Florida to the United States – 1820

First photos of Earth taken from space – 1946

Natural: The Seven Sisters: Pleiades Star Cluster Meaning, Myth, and How to See It

"See us cuddle and hug," say the Pleiades, "All six in a ring: it keeps us warm: We huddle together like birds in a storm: It's bitter weather tonight."

—Robert Graves (1895-1985)

Italian: Coccinella (ladybug / ladybird)

Coccinella is the word for ladybug (US) or ladybird (UK) in Italian. It derives from the Latin coccinus, which in turn comes from the Greek kókkinos, meaning ‘scarlet red colour’.

Etc.: Venerable Van Thuan, the Shirleys, Fons Olei, statue of St. Cecilia, Blessed Anna-Maria Taigi, Bernini's Blessed Ludovica Albertone

Quote: From today's Gospel reflections by Bishop Barron:

I have often argued that many of us today are still enthralled to a deist view of God, whereby God is a distant and aloof first cause of the universe, uninvolved with the world he has made. But Thomas Aquinas taught that God is in all things “by essence, presence, and power” and that God providentially cares for every aspect of his creation. Therefore, we should expect to see signs of his presence and activity in nature, in history, and in human affairs.