Pope Francis has officially inscribed the feast day of St. Teresa of Calcutta into the General Roman Calendar, establishing September 5 as an optional memorial worldwide.
The decree, issued by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and signed by Cardinal Arthur Roche on February 11, 2025, responds to widespread requests from bishops, religious communities and the faithful.
Previously observed primarily in India and by the Missionaries of Charity, the memorial will now be included in all liturgical calendars and books, allowing global Catholic communities to celebrate her feast day in the Mass and Liturgy of the Hours.
Born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, serving the poorest in Calcutta and beyond. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.
The decree highlights her as a “tireless worker of charity” and aligns her life with Christ’s words: “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43).
Liturgical texts for the memorial include readings from Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25, emphasizing her mission of mercy. The Liturgy of the Hours also features a passage from her 1960 letter describing her spiritual struggles.
After the decree, Cardinal Roche described her as a “beacon of hope” whose life reflected radical love and service.
The Church’s recognition of this ensures her legacy remains central to Catholic life!
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