A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
One never knows what each new day will bring, or what new lesson one will learn for the first time. This photo summarizes all of that, as today brought back an old friend to Rome, along with her son who was born here 23 years ago, and who taught me many new things in his field of neurotechnology. On the table is a map of Assisi, where they are going for the first time tomorrow and where we are going, with the students, the day after that. This will be a momentous pilgrimage for my friend, who authored the first book on Blessed Carlo Acutis in the English language. Also on the table are some books by my Dad, which I lent to them for the train ride to Assisi. This being "Russell Kirk Month," it was fitting to introduce my Dad and his works to someone for the first time today. Also on the table on his screen is something new he introduced to me-- the art of neuroanatomist Santiago Ramon y Cahol, who created groundbreaking drawings of the brain. This young man is about to dive into a doctorate that will enable him to harness neurotechnology to use non-invasive treatments for Alzheimer's and strokes. He shared this video with me to help explain the technology and its uses. We are fortunate indeed that all roads lead to Rome, bringing both old friends and new information on a daily basis.
"Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." LK 12:39-48
Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections today.
Sanctoral: Today is the Optional Memorial of St. John of Capistrano (1386-1456). John was a native of Capistrano, in Italy. He became a Franciscan and was one of the great organizers of the struggle against the Mohammedans in the 15th century, when they threatened to overrun the whole of Europe. Mohammed II had taken Constantinope and was already marching against Belgrade, when Pope Callixtus III called St. John to preach the crusade; assisted by the Hungarian John Hunyadi, he gathered a strong Christian army, which defeated the Turks in the great battle of Belgrade (1453). He died in 1456.
Human: The 1,500th anniversary of the death of Boethius, senator, consul, magister officiorum, polymath, historian, and philosopher-- the Acton Institute has this day published an article on his continuing relevance. There is also a new book out on Boethius by Thomas Ward, published by Word on Fire. With perfect timing (being on the heels of my new book on stoicism), it is entitled After Stoicism: Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher.
Death of Madame Chiang Kai-shek (became one of the world’s most famous women as she helped her husband fight the Japanese during World War II and later the Chinese Communists) – 2003
The Writer's Almanac edition today.
Roman history today:
42 BC – Mark Antony and Octavian defeated the leaders of the plot against Gaius Julius Caesar in the second battle of Philippi. Seeing his defeat Marcus Junius Brutus committed suicide. The battle of Philippi turned out to be practically the end of the republic, even though its end was actually recognized as 27 BCE. The Senate no longer had any power and it was treated rather honorably. In the empire, the triumvirs had the biggest power. As it turned out, however, three ambitious men could not wield one state together.
425 AD – 6-year-old Valentinian III was granted the title Augustus and became a Roman emperor of the West. He was supposed to rule for 40 years. Because of his young age, his mother Galia Placidia ruled on his behalf.
Natural: The swallows leave San Juan Capistrano, California, today. These sanctoral cycle- minded birds return on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19.
Italian: Vergogna (shame / disgrace)
Peter Coveney
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