On February 2, the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments released two decrees, approved by Pope Francis, inscribing several new memorials into the Roman Calendar. The first decree added the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus on July 29. The Congregation noted that the addition of this liturgical celebration was intended to highlight the important evangelical witness these saints offered in welcoming Jesus into their home, as well as the love and familial spirit with which they conversed and cared for the Lord and each other as family members.
A separate decree inscribed three Optional Memorials in the Roman Calendar for several Doctors of the Church, observing that “the combination of holiness with knowledge in the experience of the mystery of Jesus Christ is inextricably linked to the mystery of the Church.” The new memorials and their dates are:
- 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
New prayers for these memorials have been issued in Latin by the Holy See, and these will now be translated by the various episcopal conferences throughout the world.