April 11

Composed for the Good Friday Vespers of 1727, the St Matthew Passion is one of Bach's most ambitious sacred works, scored for double choir, soloists, and orchestra. Its libretto, drawn from the Gospel of Matthew and librettist Picander's poetry, combines narrative recitatives with expressive arias and chorales. The premiere at St. Thomas Church displayed Bach's innovative use of spatial acoustics and dramatic contrast. Although the work fell into relative obscurity after his death, it was revived by Felix Mendelssohn in 1829 to great acclaim. Today, it is celebrated as a pinnacle of Baroque choral literature and a cornerstone of Western sacred music. Its emotional depth and technical brilliance continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

In April 1951, a group of Scottish students removed the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey and secretly transported it north of the border. On April 11, the artifact was discovered at the altar of Arbroath Abbey, a site steeped in Scottish independence history. The students’ act was intended as a political statement asserting Scotland’s national identity. The British government quietly retrieved the stone and returned it to London, avoiding a public scandal. The Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, had been used in the coronation of Scottish, and later British, monarchs for centuries. Its temporary return to Scotland sparked widespread public interest and sympathy for Scottish heritage. The episode foreshadowed later discussions on devolution and led to the stone’s eventual permanent return to Scotland in 1996.

Issued on April 11, 1963, Pacem in terris marked a significant departure as the first papal encyclical addressed to all people of goodwill. Amid Cold War hostilities, Pope John XXIII called for nuclear disarmament, respect for human dignity, and equitable social structures. He emphasized the right to life, freedom of conscience, and the responsibilities of governments to serve the common good. The document blended Christian doctrine with modern political philosophy, appealing to both religious and secular audiences. Its themes influenced the Second Vatican Council and inspired international dialogues on peace and justice. Governments and faith communities alike drew on its teachings during negotiations on arms control. Pacem in terris remains a cornerstone in the Catholic Church's social and diplomatic engagement.