The sky is crying, look at the tears roll down the street.
Thanks to flaming comet dust moving at 60km per second.
Today is the Vigil of St. Lawrence, in the older, traditional Roman calendar, replete with purple vestments. Before our feasts we Catholics do some penance (such as reading about WYD).
What this also means that it is time for the annual Perseid Meteor Shower, so called because the meteors appear to be streaking out from the constellation Perseus. At the peak, there can be 100 meteors and hour.
The shower has been traditionally nicknamed the Tears of St. Lawrence, whose feast is 11 August.
Each year your little whirling blue ball zooms through the debris of a comet named Swift-Tuttle.
Those of you in the northern hemisphere should get out there and watch the meteors. If you have children, make a plan. I have fond memories of looking into the heavens as a kid.
This year the peak of the Perseids will come when Earth enters the densest part of the comet’s leavings, on 13 August. It’ll be a good year for viewing since only about 10% of the Moon will be reflecting in our direction.
Take your kids out to see the sky show and tell them the story of St. Lawrence, Pope Sixtus and the other deacons.
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