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Calendar Class of October 8, 2025

  • Writer: Andrea Kirk Assaf
    Andrea Kirk Assaf
  • Oct 8
  • 5 min read

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

In Rome, our feet trod over a million stories each day. On the first day of Art and Architecture class this semester, I stumbled upon a very special one. At the tomb of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, Ireland, I found a wreath lain upon his floor tomb, with a banner on which was written "In Loving Memory of O'Neill, the Chicago Labor Group." My curiosity was piqued, and so, when I saw a gentleman kneeling there some minutes later, I approached his friend sitting nearby to inquire about the wreath. To my surprise, the kneeling visitor had nothing to do with the wreath, but was an expert on the subject whom the wreath honored- the mysterious earl that the visitor called "the would-be King of Ireland." Years past I heard about this celebrity tomb from Dr. Connell but the details were vague in my memory. The visiting professor paying homage to O'Neill that day proceeded to give me a complete history of the Irish "Flight of the Earls" in 1607. Having left their lost titles, land, and power behind, the two earls, O'Neill and O'Donnell, through a series of misadventures and broken promises, eventually sought refuge in Rome from Pope Paul V. Having previously been allies of King Philip II of Spain, the two earls, who died not long after their arrival, were buried in San Pietro in Montorio before the high altar. My new Irish scholar friend has promised to send me more resources on this subject so dear to his heart. It was another powerful reminder of the role Rome has played from its very beginning as a place of refuge and preserver of stories.
In Rome, our feet trod over a million stories each day. On the first day of Art and Architecture class this semester, I stumbled upon a very special one. At the tomb of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, Ireland, I found a wreath lain upon his floor tomb, with a banner on which was written "In Loving Memory of O'Neill, the Chicago Labor Group." My curiosity was piqued, and so, when I saw a gentleman kneeling there some minutes later, I approached his friend sitting nearby to inquire about the wreath. To my surprise, the kneeling visitor had nothing to do with the wreath, but was an expert on the subject whom the wreath honored- the mysterious earl that the visitor called "the would-be King of Ireland." Years past I heard about this celebrity tomb from Dr. Connell but the details were vague in my memory. The visiting professor paying homage to O'Neill that day proceeded to give me a complete history of the Irish "Flight of the Earls" in 1607. Having left their lost titles, land, and power behind, the two earls, O'Neill and O'Donnell, through a series of misadventures and broken promises, eventually sought refuge in Rome from Pope Paul V. Having previously been allies of King Philip II of Spain, the two earls, who died not long after their arrival, were buried in San Pietro in Montorio before the high altar. My new Irish scholar friend has promised to send me more resources on this subject so dear to his heart. It was another powerful reminder of the role Rome has played from its very beginning as a place of refuge and preserver of stories.

Psalm 86:3-6, 9-10

Be gracious to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Make glad the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, I lift up my soul. For you, Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.


From Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections today: A desire to pray is planted deep within us. This just means the desire to speak to God and to listen to him. Keep in mind that prayer is not designed to change God’s mind or to tell God something he doesn’t know. God isn’t like a big city boss or a reluctant pasha whom we have to persuade. He is rather the one who wants nothing other than to give us good things—though they might not always be what we want.



Can you see how this prayer rightly orders us? We must put God’s holy name first; we must strive to do his will in all things and at all times; we must be strengthened by spiritual food or we will fall; we must be agents of forgiveness; we must be able to withstand the dark powers.


Sanctoral: Blessed Ambrose of Siena

Blessed Ambrose (1220-1286) was born in Siena, Italy, the son of a book illuminator. He was born so severely deformed that his parents could not bear the sight of him. They put their son in the care of a nurse who took the child with her to daily Mass at the Dominican church. The child, often fussy, would become calm when he was placed near the altar of relics, and would cry when he was removed. While praying at the altar, the nurse would conceal the child's hideous face with a scarf. This practice continued for a year. One day a pilgrim told the nurse to remove the baby's scarf and prophesied that the child would one day become a great man. A few days later, before the same altar, the child Ambrose stretched out his deformed limbs and pronounced the name of Jesus; from that moment he was miraculously healed into a beautiful and perfectly formed child. Blessed Ambrose grew in piety and was determined to become a Dominican friar. His family and friends opposed his plan and attempted to dissuade such a handsome and talented youth from becoming a poor friar. Ambrose overcame these obstacles and joined the Dominicans at the age of 17. He studied under St. Albert the Great along with St. Thomas Aquinas, and went on to become a preacher, teacher, missionary, diplomat, and peace-broker. His skills with diplomacy earned him the respect of kings and popes alike.


Our Lady of Good Remedy (Hist); St. Pelagia, Hermit (RM); St. Hugo of Canefro, Religious (RM)


Human: Happy Birthday to our dear Hala Assaf!!

  • Acadians, refusing to swear loyalty to British crown, were expelled from Nova Scotia – 1755

  • Great Chicago Fire began in a stable on the west side of the Chicago River when, historians agree, Mr. and Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over an oil lamp – 1871

  • 28 BC – the magnificent temple of Apollo on the Palatine Hill was dedicated, to which the Sibylline books were transferred. A library called the Palatinate was created next to the temple.

  • 314 AD – Constantine the Great defeated Licinius in the battle of Cibalae. The battle lasted till evening and ended with the victory of Constantine’s army and the escape of Licinius with the rest of his troops to Thrace.

  • 451 AD – the Council of Chalcedon began. Nearly 600 bishops from the eastern part of the Empire took part in it. The West was represented by the two legates of Leon I. It was the biggest council of the ancient times. The Council agreed on the existence of two natures in Christ, divine and human, with the belief that at the same time He is one Person – a personal union. In addition, the council announced 30 canons on disciplinary matters, among others, Jerusalem was proclaimed the fifth patriarchate.


Travertine is more than just a building material; it is a cornerstone of Rome’s rich architectural heritage. From the grandeur of the Colosseum to the intricate beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica, travertine has been the stone that built Rome, shaping its iconic skyline and enduring legacy.


Italian: Spigliato (self-confident)

A person who is uninhibited, confident and sure of themselves can be called spigliato in Italian. It is the past participle of the verb spigliare, meaning “to make (someone) more relaxed and confident”.


Quote: "Now, may our God be our hope. He Who made all things is better than all things. He Who made all beautiful things is more beautiful than all of them. He Who made all mighty things is more mighty than all of them. He Who made all great things is greater than all of them. Learn to love the Creator in His creature, and the maker in what He has made." —Saint Augustine

 
 
 

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