
Highlights, reactions, or anything else – let’s talk about it.

On Feb 24, 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued the papal bull Inter gravissimas (“In the Gravest Concern”) that would establish a new calendar to override the Julian Calendar that had been in use since 46 BC. The new calendar erased 10 days of that year – would erase ten days of the year—Thursday, October 4, would be followed by Friday, October 15.

Today is the feast day of St. Polycarp who was a disciple of the apostle St. John. He was martyred at the age of 86, for refusing to burn incense for the Roman emperor. He was burned at the stake but the flames did touch him, so he was finally stabbed to death.
The story of his martyrdom is “the earliest chronicle of a martyrdom outside the New Testament.”

(Sundays I figure is good for religious posts, yeah? )
February 8 is a day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. The date was picked because it is the feast day of St. Bakhita, who as a child was abducted by Arab slavers and sold into slavery. You can read about her here.
O St. Bakhita, you who knew the horrors of slavery, assist all trapped in captivity. Intercede for them so God may set them free, comfort survivors, and help them find healing through faith and hope in Jesus. Amen.