Ten things you never knew about... April 1st

TODAY is April Fool’s Day but the following facts about April 1 are all quite genuine.

Here are 10 facts about April 1st

1. April 1 is also Edible Book Day, celebrating the birthday of French gastronome and writer Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826). For details, see books2eat.com.
2. Since 2004, April 1 has also been celebrated as Fossil Fools Day, with demonstrations against the use of fossil fuels as sources of energy. 

3. In Ancient Rome, April 1 was the date of the festival of Veneralia, praising the goddess Venus.
4. The earliest known connection between April 1 and folly is in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (1392)... 

5. ...though some say his supposed reference to the “32nd of March” (April 1) actually meant 32 days after the end of March (May 2).
6. Since the early 16th century, French children have celebrated “poisson d’Avril” (April fish) on April 1 by sticking fish pictures on people’s backs. 

7. On April 1, 1698, many were fooled into going to the Tower of London to “see the Lions washed”.
8. Companies founded on April 1 include Wrigley’s chewing gum (1891) and Apple Inc (1976). 

9. Singer Susan Boyle was born on April 1, 1961.
10. On April 1, 1889, the first successful dishwasher went on sale in Chicago. Its inventor Josephine Cochran said it washed faster than her servants.

10 things you need to know about Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday was one of the most important days in all of history. It was a pivotal day in the life of Jesus Christ. Here are 10 things you should know about it and how we celebrate it today.

 

Every single Mass, we hear the words "on the night he was betrayed."
That night was Holy Thursday, and it is one of the most important nights in all of history.
Here are 10 things you need to know.

1. What happened on the original Holy Thursday?
An amazing amount of stuff! This was one of the most pivotal days in the life of Jesus Christ.
Here are some of the things the gospels record for this day (including events that happened after midnight). Jesus:

• Sent Peter and John to arrange for them to use the Upper Room to hold the Passover meal.
• Washed the apostles' feet.
• Held the first Mass.
• Instituted the priesthood.
• Announced that Judas would betray him.
• Gave the "new commandment" to love one another.
• Indicated that Peter had a special pastoral role among the apostles.
• Announced that Peter would deny him.
• Prayed for the unity of his followers.
• Held all the discourses recorded across five chapters of John (John 13-18).
• Sang a hymn.
• Went to the Mount of Olives.
• Prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.
• Was betrayed by Judas.
• Stopped the disciples from continuing a violent resistance.
• Healed the ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant, after Peter cut it off with a sword.
• Was taken before the high priests Annas and Caiaphas.
• Was denied by Peter.
• Was taken to Pilate.

2. Why is Holy Thursday sometimes called "Maundy Thursday"?

The word "Maundy" is derived from the Latin word mandatum, or "mandate."
This word is used in the Latin text for John 13:34:

"Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos."

Or, in English:

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you." 

Holy Thursday is thus sometimes called Maundy Thursday because it was on this day that Christ gave us the new commandment--the new mandate--to love one another as he loves us.

3. What happens on this day liturgically?

Several things:

• The bishop celebrates a "Chrism Mass" with his priests (usually).
• The Mass of the Lord's Supper is held in the evening.
• At the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the priest (often) performs the washing of feet.
• The Tabernacle is empty and the Eucharist is put in a place of repose.
• The altar is stripped.
• The faithful are invited to spend time in Eucharistic adoration while the Sacrament is in repose.

4. What is the "Chrism Mass"?

According to the main document governing the celebrations connected with Easter, Paschales Solemnitatis:

35. The Chrism Mass which the bishop concelebrates with his presbyterium and at which the holy chrism is consecrated and the oils blessed, manifests the communion of the priests with their bishop in the same priesthood and ministry of Christ.

The priests who concelebrate with the bishop should come to this Mass from different parts of the diocese, thus showing in the consecration of the chrism to be his witnesses and cooperators, just as in their daily ministry they are his helpers and counselors.

The faithful are also to be encouraged to participate in this Mass, and to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Traditionally the Chrism Mass is celebrated on the Thursday of Holy Week. If, however, it should prove to be difficult for the clergy and people to gather with the bishop, this rite can be transferred to another day, but one always close to Easter.

The chrism and the oil of catechumens is to be used in the celebration of the sacraments of initiation on Easter night.

5. Why is the Mass of the Lord's Supper significant?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

45. Careful attention should be given to the mysteries which are commemorated in this Mass: the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and Christ's command of brotherly love; the homily should explain these points.

6. Is the Eucharist in the Tabernacle during this Mass?

No. According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

48. The Tabernacle should be completely empty before the celebration.

Hosts for the Communion of the faithful should be consecrated during that celebration.

A sufficient amount of bread should be consecrated to provide also for Communion on the following day.

7. What does the rite of foot washing signify, and is it to be done for men only?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

51. The washing of the feet of chosen men which, according to tradition, is performed on this day, represents the service and charity of Christ, who came "not to be served, but to serve. This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained.

Although some have interpreted the rite as reflecting the institution of the institution of the priesthood or being unique to the apostles, this interpretation is not found in the Church's official documents, such as Paschales Solemnitatis, which interpret it as a sign of service and charity.
The rite is optional. It does not have to be performed.
Although until 2016 the Church’s official texts used language that indicated only men (Latin, viri) could have their feet washed on Holy Thursday, the Holy See had permitted individual bishops to wash the feet of females and younger males (vir means "man," not "male") for some time.
Pope Francis himself had been doing so, and in 2016 he had the Congregation for Divine Worship revise the law to bring it into alignment with contemporary practice.

8. What happens at the end of the Mass of the Lord's Supper?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

54. After the post-Communion prayer, the procession forms, with the crossbar at its head. The Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by lighted candles and incense, is carried through the church to the place of reservation, to the singing of the hymn "Pange lingua" or some other eucharistic song.

This rite of transfer of the Blessed Sacrament may not be carried out if the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion will not be celebrated in that same church on the following day.

55. The Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a closed tabernacle or pyx. Under no circumstances may it be exposed in a monstrance.

The place where the tabernacle or pyx is situated must not be made to resemble a tomb, and the expression "tomb" is to be avoided.

The chapel of repose is not prepared so as to represent the "Lord's burial" but for the custody of the eucharistic bread that will be distributed in Communion on Good Friday.

9. Is there to be Eucharistic adoration at this time?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

56. After the Mass of the Lord's Supper the faithful should be encouraged to spend a suitable period of time during the night in the church in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament which has been solemnly reserved.

Where appropriate, this prolonged eucharistic adoration may be accompanied by the reading of some part of the Gospel of St. John (chs. 13-17).

From midnight onwards, however, the adoration should be made without external solemnity, because the day of the Lord's passion has begun.

10. What happens to the decoration of the Church at this time?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

57. After Mass the altar should be stripped.

It is fitting that any crosses in the church be covered with a red or purple veil, unless they have already been veiled on the Saturday before the Fifth Sunday of Lent.

Lamps should not be lit before the images of saints.

Top 8 Funny And Embarrassing Quotes By Nigerian Politicians

No matter how bad the economy may be crumbling, Nigerians still find humor in everything.

I hope this soothes your sunny day and brings some laughter to your face. Here are my top 8 hilarious but embarrassing quotes from 2010-2015.

1. Labaran Maku – 2010
“We want to thank the President for bringing Facebook to Nigeria.”


2. Olusegun Obasanjo – 2010
“With all due respect, If Jesus Christ will come to this world to become INEC Charmian, any election He conducts will be disputed.”


3. Jonathan Goodluck – May 2014
“Over 70% of what they call corruption in Nigeria is mere common theft.”


4. Jonah Jang – May 2013
“God is a democrat. He does not support rigging. But if you rig and succeed, that means God supports it .”


5. Patience Jonathan – November 2011
“Ojukwu is a great man, he died but his manhood still lives on.”


6. Adams Oshiomole – December 2013
“Go and Die.”


7. Patience Jonathan – May 2011
“My fellow widows.”


8. Rotimi Ameachi – September 2015.
“I will not die, I drank bottled water. You did not drink bottled water.”

10 amazing facts about Cristiano Ronaldo as he turns 31

As Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 31st birthday, here is an overview of the living legend who has exhibited amazing and exceptional skills on and off the pitch, in which most of his colleagues will be envious of.

Here are 10 amazing facts about Ronaldo

1. He was expelled from school at the age of 14: ‘Naughty Ronaldo’ threw a chair at his teacher at the age of fourteen. He was consequently expelled from school. The development made his mother compel him to focus entirely on football, a decision that has made him what he is today. What a decision!


2. A friendly against Manchester United shot him into limelite: Cristiano Ronaldo sent John O’Shea into dizzy spells when Manchester United faced Sporting. Ronaldo blew away Sir Alex Ferguson and the United players with his dazzling play.

Roy Keane, John O’Shea and Gary Neville asked Ferguson to buy Ronaldo after the game, but Ferguson was way ahead of them and had made his mind up by halftime.


3. He is named after former U.S President Ronald Reagan: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is his full name, but is known to everyone else as just Cristiano Ronaldo. His father was a big fan of the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989, Ronald Reagan, which is where the now world famous name “Ronaldo” came from.

He has other nicknames, CR7, Ronnie and the Yoruba’s in Nigeria call him ‘Ororo’ (Groundnut Oil)


4. He has his own museum in his honour:

In 2013, Ronaldo opened his own museum in his hometown of Madeira. The museum contains all of his awards and trophies (over 150), with extra room available for future trophies, which he expects to win.


5. He has no tattoos: Unlike most of his colleagues, Ronaldo has no ink on his body. This is because he donated blood regularly. In some countries, you have to wait up to a year after getting a tattoo to give blood, so Ronaldo remains ink free. He also has become a bone marrow donor.


6. His free kick speed is around 130 kmph: He has a tremendous shot and can shoot with both legs. The Arsenal ‘wall’ below needed to cover some vital body parts.



7. His father passed away when he was 20: Cristiano’s father, Jose Dinis Aveiro, unfortunately passed away at the age of 52 due to alcoholism. As a result, the Real Madrid star does not take alcohol.

Infact in 2010 he received a libel payout from a journalist who reported that he was drinking champagne heavily in a nightclub.

8. He has less body fat than most supermodels and has a fashion boutique

9. He paid for a brain operation and treatments for a 10-month old boy: Ronaldo is a very loving and caring person. He shares the pain of other people and has paid for the surgery and further treatments of others, including this little boy Erik Ortiz Cruz.

10. He has scored a goal in every minute of a game over his career: Legendary! Ronaldo has an astonishing statistic that not even Lionel Messi can match.

9 Funny Pictures That Explain Why the World Has Changed for the Worse

The world is constantly evolving, and our life and habits are changing too, but are we sure all these changes are actually for good? Here are 9 hilarious before and after pictures, proving that the world is actually changing for the worst.(H/t:Boredpanda)

1. Tv's then and now

2. Teachers in 1960 and 2010

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3. Before and after smartphones

4. Evolution of cellphones

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5. Cellphones then and now

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6. George Lucas then and now

7. Then and now

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8. Wasting timeline

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9. Before and after smartphones

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Top 10 facts about The Moon

ON December 14, 1972, Eugene Cernan became the last astronaut (so far) to stand on the Moon’s surface.

Top ten things you did not know about the moon

1. He was the last man to leave the Moon but only the 11th of 12 to arrive there. Harrison Schmitt exited the lunar module of Apollo 17 after Cernan.

2. Although other planets have larger satellites than our Moon, the ratio of our Moon’s diameter to that of Earth is the largest in the solar system.

3. The Moon’s origin is unclear but the most likely theory is that it resulted from a collision between Earth and another planet over 4 billion years ago.

4. The hypothetical body that collided with Earth all those years ago has been given the name Theia, the mythological mother of Moon Goddess Selene.

5. The Moon is slowly moving further away from Earth at about 4cm a year.

6. The average gravitational pull on the Moon is only a sixth of that on Earth.

7. The same side of the Moon always faces Earth but only 41 per cent of its surface is never seen.

8. The highest point on the Moon is higher above its surface than Mount Everest on Earth.

9. Of the 12 men who walked on the Moon between 1969 and 1972, eight are still alive. They are all in their 80s.

10. “You seen one Earth, you’ve seen them all.” (Harrison Schmitt).

Top 10 Facts about Pope Francis

1. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina he is the first Pope from the Americas, the first born in the southern hemisphere and the first Jesuit Pope.

2. He is also the first non-European pope since the Syrian Pope Gregory III in 741.

3. In his youth, he supported himself by working as a bouncer at a nightclub.

4. In his youth, he also enjoyed dancing the tango as well as an Argentinian music called the Milonga which had a fast syncopated beat.

5. Besides having a degree in philosophy, he has one in chemistry also.

6. Pope Francis is currently in fourth place on the Forbes List of Most Powerful People behind Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel and Barack Obama.

7. Pope Francis was born on the same day as rock and roll star Tommy Steele.

8. Officially his title is Pope Francis, not Pope Francis I. The ‘I’ will be added when there is a Pope Francis II.

9. After blessing motorcyclists in Rome in 2013, Pope Francis was given a Harley Davidson which he later autographed and auctioned for charity. It raised over £200,000 for a soup kitchen and hostel.

10. A Harley Davidson owned by his predecessor Benedict XVI later fetched only a fifth as much.

-God Bless The Pope...

Top 10 Facts about Television

ON 30 October 1925, John Logie Baird made the first transmission of a moving image of a human face by television.

1. The face was that of his office boy, William Taynton, who was paid two shillings and sixpence for sitting in front of the hot TV transmitter.

2. Before using a real person, Baird experimented with a ventriloquist’s dummy called Stooky Bill.

3. The average person in the UK watches just over four hours’ television a day.

4. It has been calculated that the average American child sees about 13,000 deaths on television between the ages of five and 14.

5. In 1997, a monkey was arrested in the African state of Benin for stealing a television aerial.

6. In 2004, the number of television sets in the UK overtook the number of people.

7. The first couple shown in bed together on prime time US TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

8. Until 1987, there were no television broadcasts in Iceland on Thursdays.

9. The word ‘television’ entered the language in 1907. The abbreviation TV was first used in 1948.

10. “You know the really great thing about television? If something important happens, anywhere in the world, night or day, you can always change the channel” (Christopher Lloyd in Taxi)