Who is St. Elmo and Where is His Fire?
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Have you ever felt that winter was too long and that the calendar was out of sync? Pope Gregory XIII did. He didn't like the Julian Calendar used in his day so he asked his papal astronmers to create a new system that would put Easter close to the spring eqinox so that there would be more house of sunlight for celebrations. On February 24, 1582, he issued a papal bull declaring that everyone must follow the resulting new calendar that became known as the Gregorian Calendar.
As you might imagine, problems occurred when Pope Gregory XIII's new calendar changed everyone's schedules. On the Jiulian Calendar that had been used for centuries, the new year began on April 1. Pope Gregory XIII , however, said that January 1 would henceforth be New Year's Day.
Faithful Catholics moved their new year celebrations from April 1 to January 1 but rebels refused to accept the change and continued to have boisterous parties on April 1. They were soon called April Fools for celebrating the new year on the wrong day.
Perhaps there is room in the calendar for two celebrations. Each January 1 we can reflect on our Christmas experiences and prepare for a quiet winter of peace. When April 1 arrives we canrejoice in Easter celebrations and the promise of spring and summer.
To learn more about the Catholic calendar and other Catholic influences read, Catholicism Everywhere: From Hail Mary Passes to Cappuccinos: How the Catholic Faith Is Infused in Culture by Dr. Helen Hoffner.
Helen Hoffner, Ed.D. is a professor at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the author of four books for Catholic audiences: The Cross: A Universal Symbol ( Marian Press, 2024), Catholicism Everywhere ( Sophia Institute Press, 2024), Catholic Traditions and Treasures ( Sophia Institute Press, 2018), and The Rosary Collector's Guide ( Schiffer Publishing, 2013). She has also written four books for teachers: The Elementary Teacher's Digital Toolbox ( Prentice Hall, 2006), Literacy Lessons K-8 ( Corwin Press, 2010), Reading and Writing Mysteries in Grades 4-8 ( Teacher Created Materials, 2006), and A Look at Realistic Fiction ( Teacher Created Materials, 2003). Dr. Hoffner has been invited to discuss her books on television programs of EWTN and the Catholic Faith Network as well as on radio stations across the United States and Canada.
