Okay, so it isn't really Catholic thing per se, but the origin of April Fool's Day is actually found in the Church. A lot of people don't know this, so here's how the story goes.
On February 24, 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued the papal bull Inter Gravissimas which established the Gregorian calendar (which gets it's name from this pope) as the official calendar for the Christian world. With this pronouncement, the Julian calendar was replaced and the first day of the new year was moved to January 1. Those who continued to observe it on April 1, whether out of resistance or because they didn't receive the news, were considered foolish and ridiculed.
So if someone pulls a prank or plays a joke on you on April 1st, you can legitimately blame the Catholic Church or at least Pope Gregory XIII. Historians actually offer different accounts on the origin of April Fool's Day, but this one sounds pretty believable to me.
Other than some interesting cocktail party talk, why do I bring this up? Because I think it's good to point out the contributions the Church has made to society. Once you realize that, then you're one step closer to realizing how important the Church is to daily life. Christianity isn't just something might we do for an hour on Sundays; it's how we should be living and orienting our daily lives. And that ain't no April fool!
On February 24, 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued the papal bull Inter Gravissimas which established the Gregorian calendar (which gets it's name from this pope) as the official calendar for the Christian world. With this pronouncement, the Julian calendar was replaced and the first day of the new year was moved to January 1. Those who continued to observe it on April 1, whether out of resistance or because they didn't receive the news, were considered foolish and ridiculed.So if someone pulls a prank or plays a joke on you on April 1st, you can legitimately blame the Catholic Church or at least Pope Gregory XIII. Historians actually offer different accounts on the origin of April Fool's Day, but this one sounds pretty believable to me.
Other than some interesting cocktail party talk, why do I bring this up? Because I think it's good to point out the contributions the Church has made to society. Once you realize that, then you're one step closer to realizing how important the Church is to daily life. Christianity isn't just something might we do for an hour on Sundays; it's how we should be living and orienting our daily lives. And that ain't no April fool!
(I know, that last line was a sorry attempt at being funny.)
On a personal note from the author:
I'm not sure how many blog followers I still have, but in case you were wondering why I've neglected the blog since last Fall...
Between my family and work, life has been pretty full. Around the house these days- our oldest is getting ready to transition from preschool to kindergarten, our middle child is days away from completing potty training, and the youngest is taking over the house one cute moment at a time. All this is in addition to me applying to the permanent deacon program for the local diocese.
Yep, it's true. I haven't mentioned it on the blog or even on Facebook or Twitter, but a few people have known since last May that I've made an application. After writing a spiritual autobiography, having multiple interviews, completing a psychological battery, and a lot of praying, worrying, discerning, etc, I'll find out if I am accepted sometime after Easter. If so, then it's a 5 year program with a lot of studying, formation, and more discernment. In your charity, please say a prayer for me and my family- perhaps this is where God is leading me.
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