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The Vatican has announced the inclusion of St. Teresa of Kolkata's feast day in the General Roman Calendar, a decision praised by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. This change, effective February 11, means that her optional memorial will be celebrated annually on September 5 by the universal Catholic Church.
Previously, this observance was limited to the Missionaries of Charity and Catholics in India. Archbishop Broglio expressed that this is "an occasion of joy for all Catholics and for our entire nation," recalling that St. Teresa was made an honorary citizen in 1996.
St. Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity and dedicated her life to aiding India's poorest, particularly in Kolkata. She gained international recognition and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Canonized in 2016 by Pope Francis, she is now recognized as a contemporary witness to faith and charity.
Archbishop Broglio remarked that "care for the poor and the suffering is at the heart of the mission that Christ gave the Church." He highlighted St. Teresa's impact on both Catholics and non-Catholics through her words and deeds.
He also recalled her message from a 1994 National Prayer Breakfast: “Love, to be true, has to hurt... I must be willing to give until it hurts."
The General Roman Calendar structures the church's liturgical year with celebrations ranked as Sundays, solemnities, feasts, or memorials. The calendar can include additional celebrations based on amendments by the Holy See.
For St. Teresa’s feast day, the Gospel reading is from Matthew chapter 25, focusing on works of mercy like feeding the hungry and visiting prisoners. Cardinal Arthur Roche emphasized how Mother Teresa embodied these teachings with her life's work.
Gina Christian reports for OSV News.
