A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
Happy First of March! I spied this pink tulip, which I associate with Spring in Michigan, incongruously placed in branches growing out of the Aurelian wall on the Passagiata Gianicolense yesterday with the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the background. It was just asking for a photo.
Liturgical: 7TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME and Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections (on children's natural ability to wonder). All readings today encapsulate so many timeless truths.
"People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them."
Mark 10:13-16
The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph. Here is the overview of the liturgical calendar for the month of March.
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of March 2025
For families in crisis:
Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.
Sanctoral: The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. David (542-601), Bishop and patron of Wales. The Church in Wales and England celebrates this saint as a Feast.
The saints that we will focus on this month and try to imitate are:
St. Katharine Drexel (March 3),
St. Casimir (March 4),
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity (March 7),
St. John of God (March 8),
St. Patrick (March 17),
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (March 18),
and St. Joseph (March 19).
The Optional Memorials of St. Frances of Rome (March 9) and St. Turibio de Mogrovejo (March 23) are superseded by the Lenten Sunday liturgy.
Human: Happy New Year! March was the first month of the original Roman calendar created by Rome's mysterious second king, Numa Pompilius. March is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. However, we think of it as the beginning of spring, as March brings the vernal equinox, the Full Worm Moon, and the return of Daylight Saving Time! Read all about it here.
Natural: March’s birth flower is the daffodil or jonquil. The daffodil signifies regard or unrequited love. The jonquil means “I desire a return of affection.” See more about March’s birth flower.
March’s birthstone is the aquamarine. This gem is a type of beryl; its color can be pale to dark blue, greenish-blue, or blue-green; deep, intense blue versions are more valuable. See more about March’s birthstone.
Italian: 12 Ways to Say “Cheers” in Italian
Quote: From today's Mass readings
Sirach 17:1-15
The Lord created human beings out of earth,
and makes them return to it again.
He gave them a fixed number of days,
but granted them authority over everything on the earth.
He endowed them with strength like his own,
and made them in his own image.
He put the fear of them in all living beings,
and gave them dominion over beasts and birds.
Discretion and tongue and eyes,
ears and a mind for thinking he gave them.
He filled them with knowledge and understanding,
and showed them good and evil.
He put the fear of him into their hearts
to show them the majesty of his works.
And they will praise his holy name,
to proclaim the grandeur of his works.
He bestowed knowledge upon them,
and allotted to them the law of life.
He established with them an eternal covenant,
and revealed to them his decrees.
Their eyes saw his glorious majesty,
and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
He said to them, “Beware of all evil.”
And he gave commandment to each of them concerning the neighbor.
Their ways are always known to him;
they will not be hid from his eyes.
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