Calendar Class of February 28, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

This afternoon we were obliged to cross the via della Conciliazione and waited quite awhile for this long line of pilgrims to pass by, all led by a brown-robed friar in a floppy hat and sandals. Unfortunately I didn't get my camera out in time to catch him, but it seemed to me like a scene right out of Canterbury Tales. The tradition of pilgrimage is still alive and well in 2025.

Liturgical: 7th week of Ordinary Time and Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections

A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.

A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.

Sirach 6:5-17

Sanctoral: The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Hilary (d. 468), pope from 461 to 468 and guardian of Church unity, St. Romanus of Condat (390-465) who founded the abbeys of Condat and Leuconne, and the convent of La Beaume, among others and Blessed Daniel Brottier (1876-1936), a member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost whose work included helping orphans.

Human: Death of Henry James (writer) – 1916. James' novella Daisy Miller is one of my favorites. My Dad nicknamed my Mom Daisy when she first went to Europe as a pretty young teacher from New York in her 20s. So true. It still makes me smile. :) James was a famous Italophile- here's an article about his experiences in Il Bel Paese.

Pope Benedict XVI stepped down as leader of the Roman Catholic church, becoming the first pope in about 600 years to retire – 2013

Here's an article on all the popes who resigned over the years- willingly or unwillingly.

Natural: Latin for Gardeners: What Plant Names Reveal!

Italian: Ritrovo (meeting place / haunt)

Quote: “They are hopelessly vulgar. Whether or no being hopelessly vulgar is being 'bad' is a question for the metaphysicians. They are bad enough to dislike, at any rate; and for this short life that is quite enough.”

― Henry James, Daisy Miller