A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
It was a difficult task choosing today's Carpe Diem Snapshot from the many options provided by the Art and Architecture class adventures this morning in the Centro Storico. I ended up selecting this video from the exquisite church of Santa Maria dell' Anima (Our Lady of the Soul) because it provided yet another illustration of how "all roads lead to Rome," especially regarding aspects of my own life, which is perhaps why I feel at home in Rome. On the left side of the main altar is a chapel with a painting and a relic of St. Charbel of Lebanon, whose tomb I have visited many times in my adopted country. On the right side of the main altar is a photo and a relic of Blessed Karl of Austria, whose descendent Karl von Hapsburg once lived with us when I was a child, to spend time in conversation with my father at the request of his father, Otto, the son of Blessed Karl.
As we were leaving the church, I read a large sign describing the history of the church and how it was supported by the Hapsburg emperors for centuries. The other side of the sign described the relationship between the Holy See and the European Union based on shared values and interests: peace, security and stability; human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion or belief... It seems fitting that the Hapsburgs should be mentioned on one side and the fundamental principles of the European Union on the other, as it was Otto who served as President of the International Paneuropean Union movement, and a Member of the European Parliament; "Otto has been described as one of the "architects of the European idea and of European integration" together with Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, and Alcide De Gasperi."
Before I moved to Rome and married a Lebanese man, I spent some time traveling around Europe interviewing conservatives, among whom was Karl. At that time, he had just finished a term as a member of the European parliament, and, like his father, was an advocate of the Pan-European Movement. One of Karl's particular efforts has been the protection of cultural heritage from armed conflict and natural disasters, including in Lebanon in 2019 and following the port explosion in Beirut in 2020. Perhaps that was the theme that tied these various threads together in Our Lady of the Soul this morning-- St. Charbel and Bl. Karl can intercede for us in our current age of armed conflict and natural disasters that threaten to damage or destroy both lives and our cultural inheritance. St. Charbel and Blessed Karl, pray for us!
Liturgical: Readings for the Memorial of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes."
Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections today.
Sanctoral: Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Presentation of Mary. The cycle of these three Marian feasts: the Birthday of Our Lady (September 8), the Holy Name of Mary (September 12) and her Presentation in the Temple (November 21), parallel with the first three feasts of our Lord in the liturgical cycle: the birth of Christ or Christmas (December 25), the Holy Name of Jesus (January 3), and His Presentation in the Temple (February 2).
Human: World Philosophers Day-- in honor of today's commemoration, here is a little information on two philosophers I'm researching, following my book on stoicism published last month: Boethius and Justin Martyr.
The Writer's Almanac edition today.
Natural: Today a few students and I stopped for a snack after class and I introduced them to something particularly Italian- a panino with alici, fiori di zucca, and mozzarella. Whole, small fish are not something I usually crave, but the combination of these flavors, when melted together in a sandwich press, is something worth trying. The students were instantly converted by the flavors.
Italian: Coccola (cuddle)
Quote: Selected quotes by Justin Martyr
“Whatever has been rightly said by anyone in any place belongs to us Christians, because second to our devotion to God is our love of Reason which is from the self-existent and indescribable God.”
“In the beginning He made the human race with the power of thought and of choosing the truth and doing right, so that all men are without excuse before God; for they have been born rational and contemplative.”
“The devil is the author of all war...We, who used to kill one another, do not make war on our enemies. We refuse to tell lies or deceive our inquisitors; we prefer to die acknowledging Christ.”
“To yield and give way to our passions is the lowest slavery, even as to rule over them is the only liberty.”
“. . . not only our works, but also our thoughts, are open before God.”
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