Calendar Class of April 8, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

Fortuitously, we chose Piazza Venezia as our starting point for class today, which was unusually full of police officers. The Altare della Patria was closed to the public, and several members of the press were milling about. I spotted someone I knew and inquired what exactly everyone was preparing for at the site. "They are here to see our king," he responded matter-of-factly. I was confused. "Our king?" I asked. "Well, I'm Canadian," he explained. King Charles III of England was on his way! It was then that I noticed the British flags and soon saw a Bentley limousine being transported past us on a tow truck on its way to pick up the royal couple. We could not dilly-dally and spend all of our class time waiting for them, however, so we began our walk down the via Fori Imperiali. As we approached the Colosseum, two fighter jets streamed past us displaying the colors of the UK and Italy side by side.

After class, we struggled through the growing crowds to return to see the ceremony, but the police had emptied the area of civilians and blocked access to the Altare della Patria. A few of the girls (who had just recently visited London) were determined, however, and they found a way to get a front row view of the monarchs passing in their Bentley. Here's an AP report on all the things Charles III got up to today in Rome, with more events still ahead. As I always say, all roads lead to Rome...

Liturgical: Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Mass readings and Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections

"When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

John 8:21-30

Sanctoral: The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Julie Billiart (1751-1816), a French religious who founded, and was the first Superior General of, the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

Julie’s immobility in no way impeded her activities. In spite of her suffering, she managed to co-found a teaching order that tended to the needs of both the poor and the well-to-do. Each of us has limitations, but the worst malady any of us can suffer is the spiritual paralysis that keeps us from doing God’s work on earth.

Human: Death of Margaret Thatcher (British prime minister) – 2013

217 AD – on the way to the city of Carrhae, Caracalla was murdered while taking a potty break. The assassination was initiated by the praetorian prefect, Macrinus. The soldiers proclaimed him new emperor, and the Senate soon confirmed.

Natural: Sunspot enlarged to 330+ times Earth’s area – 1947

Positive benefits of being out in the Sun

Italian: Fuori (out / outside / outdoors)

Quote: "I do not believe, in spite of all this, that the people of this country have abandoned their faith in the qualities and characteristics which made them a great people. Not a bit of it. We are still the same people. All that has happened is that we have temporarily lost confidence in our own strength. We have lost sight of the banners. The trumpets have given an uncertain sound. It is our duty, our purpose, to raise those banners high, so that all can see them, to sound the trumpets clearly and boldly so that all can hear them. Then we shall not have to convert people to our principles. They will simply rally to those which truly are their own."

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Speech to Conservative Central Council (15 March 1975