CV NEWS FEED // The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) voted unanimously last week to file a petition to the Vatican to include Mother Teresa’s feast day in the General Roman Calendar.
According to a Fox News report, the U.S. bishops “voted 227 to 3” for the calendar addition on November 15, during their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s feast day falls on September 5, the anniversary of her death. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in October of 2009, and canonized by Pope Francis in September of 2016.
She is the patron saint of World Youth Day, Missionaries of Charity, and a co-patron of the Archdiocese of Calcutta.
Bishop Robert Barron told Fox News Saint Teresa of Calcutta was “the most obvious example of holiness in the world” during her life.
If the Vatican approves the USCCB’s request, September 5 will become an “optional memorial” day for Saint Teresa of Calcutta. On this day, priests will have the option to celebrate mass in the saint’s honor and ask for intercession.
According to the USCCB website:
The General Roman Calendar includes “both the entire cycle of celebrations of the mystery of salvation in the Proper of Time, and that of those Saints who have universal significance and therefore are obligatorily celebrated by everyone, and of other Saints who demonstrate the universality and continuity of sainthood within the People of God”
Saints on the General Calendar are celebrated on their feast day all over the world rather than just their home country.
