MILLENNIUM MILESTONES & MEMORIES: TIME CAPSULES

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.

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.

350 A.D.
Death of Saint Nicholas, Bishop. For more on this saint, go to THIS WEEKEND'S LITURGY.
963 A.D.
Election of Pope Leo VIII, 131st successor of Peter. He was first elected as antipope by Emperor Otto I but soon was accepted by all. His pontificate lasted two years. His legacy is that he forbade the laity to enter a church after a solemn function had begun, urging promptness for tardiness would not be tolerated.
1352 A.D.
Death of Pope Clement VI, the fourth Avignon Pope, and 198th successor of Peter who was a cultured and virtuous man. He bought the city of Avignon for 18,000 gold florins and protected the Jews against persecutions. He also reduced the interval between Holy Years from 100 to 50 years and celebrated the second Jubilee in 1350 after Pope Boniface VIII had decreed the first Jubilee Year in 1300.
1527 A.D.
Pope Clement VII procures his release from imprisonment in Castel Sant'Angelo by emperor Charles V's troops. Immediately after obtaining his freedom, he fled to Orvieto and then to Viterbo to escape the retaliation of the German emperor during the time of the Protestant uprising.
1950 A.D.
Pope Pius XII issues his 21st encyclical Mirabile illud on the crusade of prayers for peace.