Calendar Class of April 18, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

This was the cross that St. Philip Neri prayed in front of when he discerned his vocation to the priesthood and eventually became the "Apostle of Rome," who, among many other things, led groups of pilgrims and Romans around the city to venerate the altars of repose at seven churches on Holy Thursday. It is located in a side chapel of the church of Sant' Agostino, where St. Philip studied theology at the adjoining monastery of St. Augustine. St. Philip nearly singlehandedly reinvigorated (and in some cases created) traditions that have cemented Rome's identity as a pilgrim city. Last night there were flocks of pilgrims from around the world following in St. Philip's footsteps, not only in Rome but also in Catholic communities around the world.

This marvelous basilica was the final stop on our altars of repose pilgrimage through the city last night, and this image was a fitting end to Holy Thursday and the beginning of Good Friday. Above it, unfortunately not captured in the photo, is an image of the Holy Face of Jesus. I began Lent with a prayer to "Il Santo Volto," so it seems an appropriate way to end it:

Jesus, Who in Thy bitter Passion didst become ‘the reproach of men and the Man of Sorrows’, I venerate Thy Holy Face on which shone the beauty and gentleness of the Divinity. In those disfigured features I recognize Thine infinite love, and I long to love Thee and to make Thee loved. May I behold Thy glorious Face in heaven! Amen.

Liturgical: Good Friday

Today the whole Church mourns the death of our Savior. This is traditionally a day of sadness, spent in fasting and prayer. The title for this day varies in different parts of the world: "Holy Friday" for Latin nations, Slavs and Hungarians call it "Great Friday," in Germany it is "Friday of Mourning," and in Norway, it is "Long Friday." Some view the term "Good Friday" (used in English and Dutch) as a corruption of the term "God's Friday." This is another obligatory day of fasting and abstinence. In Ireland, they practice the "black fast," which is to consume nothing but black tea and water.

"Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed."

John 18:1—19:42

Sanctoral: Blessed James Oldo, Italy +1404

The death of those we love brings a troubling awareness of our own mortality. James had that experience when he gazed into a friend’s grave, and it brought him to his senses. He determined to use whatever time he had left to build up treasures in heaven and to build God’s realm on earth. Our time is limited, too. We can use it well or foolishly: The choice is ours.

Human: 359 AD – emperor Gratian was born, who strongly supported breaking with the pagan cults. He was a Christian ruler who refused to accept the title Pontifex Maximus, high priest of Rome, and who abolished government subsidies for traditional cults. In 382 AD he removed the altar of the goddess Victoria from the Senate hall.

1506 The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II

1783 American Revolution: George Washington issues General Orders announcing the end of hostilities with Britain, giving thanks to the Almighty, and offering congratulations and authorizing an extra ration of alcohol to the troops to celebrate.

Natural: 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire kills nearly 4,000 while destroying 75% of the city

Italian: Viavai (comings and goings)

Quote: "Mount Calvary is the mount of lovers. All love that does not take its origin from the Savior’s passion is foolish and perilous. Unhappy is love without the Savior’s death. Love and death are so mingled in the Savior’s passion that we cannot have one in our hearts without the other. Upon Calvary, we cannot have life without love, or love without the Redeemer’s death." – St. Francis de Sales