Teachers of Wisdom
DECREE
on the Inscription of the Celebrations
of Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church,
Saint John De Avila, Priest and Doctor of the Church
and Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor of the Church,
in the General Roman Calendar
The combination of holiness with knowledge in the experience of the mystery of Jesus Christ is inextricably linked to the mystery of the Church. This link between holiness and understanding things divine and also human shines out in a very special way in those who have been given the title “Doctor of the Church”. Indeed, the wisdom that characterises these men and women is not solely theirs, since by becoming disciples of divine Wisdom they have themselves become teachers of wisdom for the entire ecclesial community. It is in this light that the holy “Doctors” are inscribed in the General Roman Calendar.
Therefore, considering the recent declarations of the title of Doctor of the Church conferred upon Saints of great importance of the West and the East, the Supreme Pontiff Pope FRANCIS has decreed the following celebrations to be inscribed in the General Roman Calendar with the rank of Optional Memorial:
Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church, on 27 February,
Saint John De Avila, Priest and Doctor of the Church, on 10 May,
Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, on 17 September.
These new Memorials are to be inscribed in all Calendars and Liturgical Books for the celebration of Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours; the liturgical texts to be adopted, attached to the present decree, are to be translated, approved and, after confirmation by this Dicastery, published by the Episcopal Conferences.
Anything to the contrary notwithstanding.
From the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 25 January 2021, on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle.
Robert Card. Sarah
Prefect
Arthur Roche
Archbishop Secretary
L'Osservatore Romano
5 February 2021, page 5
