MILLENNIUM MILESTONES & MEMORIES: TIME CAPSULES

Historical Events in Church Annals for December 3:

(Feast of Saint Francis Xavier)

• 741 A.D.
  
• Pope Saint Zachary becomes the 91st successor of Peter. Born in Calabria, his pontificate would last eleven years during which time he would strongly oppose Rachis, Duke of Friuli, whose desire was to occupy all of Italy. But through Zachary's example and prayers, Rachis converted and became a repentant monk. Zachary is most famous for consecrating Pipin the Short as King of the Franks, which would be the first investiture of a sovereign by a Roman pontiff. St. Zachary would die on March 22, 752.

• 1154 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Anastasius IV, 168th successor of Peter, whose papacy lasted one year and who had, as counselor, Cardinal Nicholas Breakspeare who would become his successor Pope Adrian IV. By Anasatasius' gentleness of character he succeeded in bringing about the pacification of the temporal domains of the Church.

• 1347 A.D.
  
• Pope Clement VI, the fourth Avignon Pope, excommunicates members of the Roman tribunal and its representative Cola di Rienzo for their disregard of the hierarchy of the Church and especially di Rienzo's plans to become supreme ruler of Italy.

• 1381 A.D.
  
• Death of Blessed Jan van Ruysbroeck, a Belgian mystic who wrote his works in Flemish rather than Latin in order to reach the people of that land.

Historical Events in Church Annals for December 4:

• 235 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Barbara, virgin and martyr who was savagely beheaded by her own father because of her faith. Immediately after he had cut off her head he was struck down by lightning as a sign of God's anger at such a violent act against His martyred daughter.

• 1334 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope John XXII. This 196th successor of Peter was born in Cahors, France and the influential choice of King Philip IV at Lyons, France after a two year vacancy after the death of Pope Clement V who ensconced the papacy at Avignon in France. During John's eight year pontificate he instituted the feast of the Most Holy Trinity and was responsible for the institution of the Sacra Rota and the construction of the Papal Palace at Avignon.

• 1443 A.D.
  
• Birth of Giuliano della Rovere in Abissola, near Savona, Italy. Rovere would go on to become a Franciscan priest, then bishop, then cardinal in Vincoli before being chosen the 216th successor of Peter on November 26th, 1503 where he would rule until his death ten years later in February. Julius was the patron of the great artists Michelangelo, Bramante and Raphael. He also completed construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

• 1563 A.D.
  
• Pope Pius IV brings the Council of Trent to a successful conclusion a special counter reformation council that lasted eighteen years through five Popes. The decrees passed at this landmark 19th Ecumenical Council would stay with Holy Mother Church until after Vatican II.

Historical Events in Church Annals for December 5:

• 532 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Sabas, abbot who lived to the ripe old age of 93 who ministered to the peasants and royalty, in particular the Byzantine emperor. But Sabas always showed his allegiance to one King only - Jesus Christ.

• 1301 A.D.
  
• Incensed by King Philip IV of France, Pope Boniface VIII issues his decree Ausculta fili in which he condemns the violation of the Church's freedom and withdraws the exemptions earlier granted as he summons the French higher clergy to Rome. It would be the precursor of his landmark Papal Bull Unam sanctam a year later which would have wide-ranging repercussions for centuries to come.

• 1492 A.D.
  
• Christopher Columbus discovers Hispaniola, establish the faith in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

• 1590 A.D.
  
• Cardinal Niccolo Sfondrati is chosen the 229th successor of Peter and chooses the title Pope Gregory XIV. This Cremona-born pontiff, an upright and ascetical man, would confirm the right of sanctuary in embassasies accredited with the Holy See. He would also excommunicate Henry IV, monarch of France and be swindled and cheated by dishonest counselors within the curia.