A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
Today we toured the beautiful, ancient churches of Trastevere, in particular Santa Maria, San Benedetto, and Santa Cecilia, where the ladies finished class by singing the Salve Regina next to the tomb of the patron saint of singers. The cosmatesque floors in these churches are one of my favorite things to explain. I love that their name- after the Cosmati family business of mosaic art- also reflects the symbolism of church flooring, representing creation and the swirling order and beauty of the cosmos. The etymology of cosmos is the Greek word kosmos, meaning "order, good order, orderly arrangement."
If you'd like to know more about the history of mosaics, here's a video.
Liturgical: 7th week of Ordinary Time Mass readings and Bishop Barron's reflections
"Do not say, “I sinned, yet what has happened to me?” for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin.
Do not say, “His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins,”
for both mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners.
Do not delay to turn back to the Lord, and do not postpone it from day to day..."
Sanctoral: Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Italy (March 1, 1838 – February 27, 1862)
Patron saint of clergy, students, young people. When we think of achieving great holiness by doing little things with love and grace, Therese of Lisieux comes first to mind. Like her, Gabriel died painfully from tuberculosis. Together they urge us to tend to the small details of daily life, to be considerate of others’ feelings every day. Our path to sanctity, like theirs, probably lies not in heroic doings but in performing small acts of kindness every day.
Human: First Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans – 1827; Italian government asked public for ideas on how to save the leaning Tower of Pisa – 1964
Roman History Today
272 AD – Emperor Constantine the Great was born. He won the civil war that followed the death of Diocletian. Then he strengthened his power and took over independent governments. He carried out a series of internal reforms, moved the capital from Rome to Constantinople and ended the persecution of Christians, which was led by his predecessor Diocletian. He was the first emperor who converted to Christianity. In 313 AD issued the Edict of Milan, proclaiming the freedom of religion for Christianity. His mother was St. Helena
380 AD – the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius the Great issued the Edict of Thessalonica. The act required all Theodosius’ subordinates to accept the Christian faith in the Holy Trinity in the form adopted by the Council of Nicea in 325 AD.
Natural: We all know that being optimistic- having a "sunny disposition"- improves both physical and mental health. But can we train ourselves to be optimistic if it doesn't come naturally, or if we are in living in difficult circumstances? That's the topic of today's Psychology Takeaway podcast with my friends Jim and Ralph. Have a listen!
Italian: Pompiere (fireman / firefighter)
Quote: A cure for all sorrows is conversation.
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