thepastisalreadywritten

[thepastisalreadywritten]

🐶🥹🤳

[thepastisalreadywritten]

How car companies got their names. 🚗🔍

[thepastisalreadywritten]

How popular candies got their names. 🍬🍫🔍

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (December 21)

An important figure in the Catholic counter-reformation that responded to the 16th-century spread of Protestantism, the priest and Doctor of the Church, Saint Peter Canisius, is remembered liturgically on December 21.

His efforts as a preacher, author and religious educator strengthened the Catholic faith in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Central Europe during a period of doctrinal confusion.

Writing about St. Peter Canisius in 1897, Pope Leo XIII noted similarities between the late 19th century and the saint's own lifetime as “a period when the spirit of revolution and looseness of doctrine resulted in a great loss of faith and decline in morals.”

More recently, in a 2011 general audience, Pope Benedict XVI taught that the Jesuit saint found success in ministry by living as “a personal witness of Jesus and an instrument at his disposal, bound to him closely by faith in his Gospel and in his Church.”

Peter Kanis – his name later Latinized to “Canisius” – was born in the Netherlands during May 1521.

His father Jacob was a wealthy public official, but his mother Aegidia died soon after his birth.

Peter began his university studies in Cologne around age 15 and obtained his master's degree before he turned 20.

His friends during this period included several men who held to the Catholic faith in opposition to the Protestant doctrines then gaining ground in Germany.

Despite his father's preference that he should marry, Peter made a decision in 1540 to remain celibate.

Three years later, he entered the Society of Jesus under the influence of Blessed Peter Faber, one of the first companions of Saint Ignatius Loyola.

He founded the first Jesuit house in Germany and became a priest in 1546.

Only one year after his ordination, Peter accompanied the Bishop of Augsburg to the Council of Trent as a theological adviser.

He spent a portion of his time in Italy working directly with Saint Ignatius Loyola, before leaving for Bavaria where he would serve as a university professor as well as a catechist and preacher.

This combination of academic and pastoral work continued at Vienna from 1552, allowing him to visit and assist many Austrian parishes, which found themselves without a priest.

During the mid-1550s Peter's evangelistic journeys took him to Prague, where he eventually founded a Jesuit school along with another in Bavaria, and later a third in Munich.

The year 1555, in particular, was a landmark for Canisius: St. Ignatius promoted him to a leadership position within the order, which he held until 1569, and he published the first and longest version of his Catholic catechism.

This work, and its two shorter adaptations, went through hundreds of printings and remained in use for centuries.

Involved in discussions with Protestants during 1557, Peter made a strong case for the Church by showing how the adherents of Protestantism could not agree with one another in matters of doctrine.

Meanwhile, he maintained his commitment to religious instruction on the popular level – teaching children, giving retreats, and preaching carefully-crafted, doctrinally-rich sermons to large crowds.

Canisius' service to the Council of Trent continued during the early 1560s, though mostly from a distance.

He kept up a demanding schedule of preaching and establishing universities, while also working to ensure that the council's decrees were received and followed in Germany after it concluded.

His tireless efforts over the next two decades contributed to a major revival of German Catholicism.

A mystical experience in 1584 convinced Canisius that he should cease his travels and remain in Switzerland for the rest of his life.

He spent his last years building up the Church in Fribourg through his preaching, teaching, and writing.

Peter suffered a near-fatal stroke in 1591, but recovered and continued as an author for six years.

The Dutch Jesuit saw writing as an essential form of apostolic work, a view supported by the continued use of his catechism long after his death on 21 December 1597.

Peter Canisius was simultaneously canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in May of 1925.

In a famous saying, the Jesuit priest revealed the secret behind the accomplishments of his energetic and fruitful life:

“If you have too much to do, with God's help, you will find time to do it all.”

[thepastisalreadywritten]

😢🖤🐶

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Dresden Codex

The ancient Maya were adept astronomers who could predict solar eclipses with great accuracy.

They used a complex system of calendars to track celestial events, including solar eclipses.

The Dresden Codex, one of the few surviving pre-Columbian Maya books, contains tables that are thought to be used for predicting solar eclipses.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 🌏

To better understand the global significance of the December Solstice, take a look at these two satellite images: one from June 21 (Summer Solstice) and one from today, December 21.

Notice how the day-night boundary shifts.

During the June Solstice, the Sun favors the northern hemisphere, creating longer days.

Today, the reverse happens — the Sun shines more directly on the southern hemisphere.

This tilted sunlight means shorter days and longer nights in the north, while the south enjoys extended daylight.

The solstices beautifully demonstrate Earth's tilt and its influence on our seasons! ☀️

[thepastisalreadywritten]

“(In the name?) of St Titus.

Holy, holy, holy!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God!

The Lord of the World

Resists (to the best of his ability?)

All attacks(?)/setbacks(?).

The God(?) grants the well-being

Entry.

This means of salvation(?) protects

The human being who

Surrenders to the will

Of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

Since before Jesus Christ

All knees bow to Jesus Christ: the heavenly

The earthly and

The subterranean and every tongue

Confess (to Jesus Christ).”

There is no reference in the text to any other faith besides Christianity, which would also have been unusual at this time.

According to the Frankfurt Archaeology Museum, reliable evidence of Christian life in the northern Alpine regions of the Roman Empire only goes as far back as the 4th century AD.

‘Fantastic find’ made possible by modern technology

Wolfram Kinzig, a church historian and professor from the University of Bonn, helped Scholz to decipher the inscription.

“The silver inscription is one of the oldest pieces of evidence we have for the spread of the New Testament in Roman Germania, because it quotes Philippians 2:10–11 in Latin translation,” Kinzig explained in an interview published on the University of Bonn’s website.

“It’s a striking example of how Biblical quotations were used in magic designed to protect the dead,” said Kinzig.

Peter Heather, a professor of medieval history at King’s College London with a specialist interest in the evolution of Christianity, described the discovery as a “fantastic find.”

Heather, who wasn’t involved in the research, told CNN:

“The capacity to be able to decipher the writing on that rolled-up piece of silver is extraordinary. This is something that’s only possible now with modern technology.

If they’d found it 100 years ago they wouldn’t have known what it was. Silver amulets are probably going to contain some kind of magical scroll but you don’t know what – it could be any religion.”

He added:

“You’ve got evidence of Christian communities in more central parts of the empire but not in a frontier town like that in Roman Germany so that is very unusual, well it’s unique. You’re pushing the history of Christianity in that region back.”

[thepastisalreadywritten]

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (December 20)

Dominic of Silos OSB was a Spanish monk, to whom the Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos where he served as the abbot is dedicated. 

Saint Dominic was born around 1000 in Cañas, Navarre, Spain.

He was born a peasant, and as a youth, worked as a shepherd until he entered the Benedictine monastery in Navarre.

When Dominic refused to hand over the monastery lands at the King of Navarre’s demands, he was forced to leave the house with two other monks.

He fled to Old Castile and was welcomed by the king.

He then entered the monastery of San Sebastian in Silos, an almost dilapidated abbey with a mediocre physical and spiritual regimen. 

Within very little time, Dominic, who had been elected abbot, renewed the spirit of the monastery and rebuilt its structure, finances and works of charity. 

Dominic was known for miracles of healing, which he obtained through prayer and for his work of ransoming Christian prisoners from the moors.

He died on 20 December 1073 in Silos, Spain.

Dominic of Silos is the patron saint of prisoners, pregnant women, and shepherds.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

"If I win the lottery, I won't tell anybody, but there will be signs." 💃🔊

HAHA!

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Canopic Chest of Tutankhamun (1342-1324 BC)

New Kingdom, late 18th Dynasty, from the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Valley of the Kings, West Thebes, Luxor, Egypt.

—

Canopic chests are cases used by ancient Egyptians to contain the internal organs removed during the process of mummification.

Once canopic jars began to be used in the late 4th Dynasty, the jars were placed within canopic chests.

Although the first proven canopic burials date from 4th Dynasty reign of Sneferu, there is evidence to suggest that there were canopic installations at Saqqara dating from 2nd Dynasty.

The first canopic chests were simple and wooden, but as time went on, they became more elaborate.

Then, around the 21st Dynasty (1069–945 BC), Egyptians decided to leave the viscera inside mummies.

But because they had been using canopic chests for thousands of years, they kept putting them in tombs, just without anything in them.

Canopic chests fell out of use during Ptolemaic Kingdom.

The style and materials were different at different times, though always reflected Egyptian ideal of perfectly measured and precise beauty.

This alabaster canopic chest of Tutankhamun is considered to be one of the finest masterpieces of King Tut’s collection.

The interior of the chest is divided into four compartments, each with a cylindrical hollow covered by a lid elegantly carved in the form of the king’s head.

At the four corners of the chest, carved in high relief, are four goddesses: Isis, Nephthys, Neith and Serket — who stretch out their arms to protect the contents of the chest.

Each of the four compartments of the canopic chest held a miniature coffin. Covered in linen, they stood upright in their cylindrical compartments.

Each was almost glued to the bottom owing to the hardening of the unguents that had been poured in as part of the ritual.

It was the duty of the goddess Nepthys, whose name is inscribed on the front, to protect the lungs of Tutankhamun, which were placed inside, after first being preserved.

The figure, fashioned of solid beaten gold, contains inlays of colored glass and semiprecious stones.

It is very close in design to the second coffin in which Tutankhamun was buried; in fact, it is almost a miniature version.

📍 Egyptian Museum, Cairo (JE 60687)

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Golden Larnax

The Golden Larnax from the royal tomb of Philip II at Vergina, Macedonia, is one of the most iconic and significant discoveries of ancient Greek archaeology.

Unearthed in 1977 in the Tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, the larnax is a lavishly crafted funerary chest made of gold, showcasing the wealth and artistry of the Macedonian royal family.

This remarkable artifact is believed to have contained the remains of Philip II, although it is likely that the larnax itself was part of a larger burial complex, emphasizing the high status of the king within his tomb.

The larnax is a true masterpiece of Hellenistic goldsmithing, with intricate designs that reflect the wealth and sophistication of the Macedonian monarchy during the 4th century BCE.

Its surface is adorned with delicate reliefs, including motifs of geometric patterns and symbolic imagery, which were intended to honor the deceased and protect the tomb.

The use of gold as a material further underscores the significance of the tomb, as it was a metal associated with the divine and the eternal in ancient Greek culture.

The discovery of the Golden Larnax was a pivotal moment in the study of ancient Macedonia and the reign of Philip II.

The tomb at Vergina, which also yielded other priceless artifacts such as weapons, jewelry, and frescoes, provides invaluable insights into the funerary practices of the time.

Today, the Golden Larnax remains a symbol of Macedonia's royal splendor and the legacy of one of history's greatest military leaders.

It is now housed in the Museum of the Royal Tombs at Vergina, where it continues to attract visitors and scholars from around the world.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

19 December 2024

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (December 19)

In the persecution of Decius, Nemesion, an Egyptian, was apprehended at Alexandria upon an indictment for theft.

The servant of Christ easily cleared himself of that charge but was immediately accused of being a Christian.

After being scourged and tormented more than the thieves, he was condemned to be burnt with the robbers and other malefactors, whereby he had the honour and happiness more perfectly to imitate the death of our Divine Redeemer.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Chariot Body of Thutmose IV

Deep in the Valley of the Kings, archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered something remarkable in 1903 — the nearly 3,400 year-old chariot body of Thutmose IV, the 8th pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt.

Found in his tomb, KV 43, this chariot is one of the few Egyptian examples to survive into the modern day.

It was part of the king’s burial items, meant to serve him in the afterlife and offers a rare glimpse into the past.

Made from lightweight wood, the chariot was designed for speed and maneuverability, essential for both battle and ceremony.

It wasn’t just practical. It was also beautifully decorated, likely with gold leaf, leather, and intricate designs.

These details highlighted the king’s power and status, fitting for a ruler who was both a warrior and a god-like figure.

The discovery of Thutmose IV's chariot gives us a valuable look at the engineering and artistry of the 18th Dynasty.

Despite being buried for millennia, its preservation helps us understand the significance of chariots in ancient Egypt and showcases the skill of its craftsmen.

📍Egyptian Museum, Cairo

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Dog Collar

This is considered as the one of the oldest known 'dog collars' in the whole world from ancient Egypt.

It belonged to the dog of Pharoah Amenhotep II, the 7th pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt.

1400 BC

📍Egyptian Museum, Cairo