Calendar Class of April 5, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

I stalked these sisters to capture this snapshot this morning on the Janiculum hill and was rewarded by a lovely conversation with them. Sister Barbara and Sister Ancella came to Rome from Germany sixty years ago and have been working in the maternity ward of the Salvator Mundi hospital until recently. Today, there are no longer sisters working at the hospital nor is there a maternity ward. It's the end of an era in so many ways.

Liturgical: Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent Mass readings and Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections

O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous,

you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God. God is my shield,

who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day.

Psalm 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent in the early ages of Christianity, was called Sitientes, taken from the first word of the original Introit of the Mass meaning "Thirsting." The Church was addressing her catechumens in the words of Isaiah and invites them to thirst after the grace to come and receive it in the holy Sacrament of Baptism. This marked the last day of the Lenten season before entering into Passiontide. In the current Liturgical calendar the last day of Lent before Holy Week would be Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent, but the beginning of the Paschal Triduum on Holy Thursday evening marks the official end of the Lenten season.

Sanctoral: The Church also celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419), priest. Vincent was born in Valencia, Spain, and died in Vannes, Britany. He was a great scholar and became Master of Theology — he knew the entire Bible by heart. He was also a great preacher, preaching throughout Europe. Jews, infidels and heretics were converted by his sermons on the true faith. The most obdurate sinners embraced a life of holiness. The favorite topic of his sermons was the final judgment. He repeated over and over the words of the prophet, "Arise, ye dead, and come to the judgment." He is often called the "Angel of the Judgment." A renowned wonder-worker, St. Vincent cured the sick, the blind and the lame.

The Roman Martyrology commemorates Saint Juliana of Cornillon (1192-1258), also known as Juliana of Liege, who was a medieval Norbertine canoness regular and mystic in what is now Belgium. She has long been recognized as the promoter of the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Human: Birthday of Booker T. Washington (educator & activist) – 1856, Washington Atlee Burpee (botanist, seedsman) – 1858; Pocahontas married Englishman John Rolfe – 1614; J. Robert Oppenheimer, US physicist, declared a security risk in 1954, is named winner of the Atomic Energy Commission’s Enrico Ferni award – 1963; Elsie McLean, at 102 years old, became the oldest golfer to make a hole-in-one on a regulation course – 2007

Natural: Happy National Dandelion Day! It is hard to believe, but at one time, there were no dandelions in North America. Dandelions originated in Asia Minor and quickly spread throughout Asia and Europe. Read all about the history and health benefits of this most common of weeds here.

Etc.: To avoid tears, put onions in the freezer for a few minutes before slicing.

Italian: The 15 Most Used Words in Italian

Quote: The Dandelion

by Kate Louise Wheeler

One day, in spring, I took a walk

And spied, within a field of green,

A slender dandelion stock,

Upon whose top a flower was seen.

Soon after, passing by the place,

I noticed that the flower of gold,

Whose stiffened stalk had lost it's grace,

Was turning gray and growing old.

To-day, upon the self same ground,

I see a stalk undecked and spare;

The flower that once was golden-crowned,

Has lost it's—gray it's head is bare.

How like a child is this gay flower,

With golden hair and graceful mien,

Which comes to brighten many an hour

And add a charm to dullest scene!

But soon the golden turns to gray

And middle life comes on apace;

The gray then hurries on its way,

And old age comes to take it's place.