Latest Update: 2025-03-16 00:42:32(UTC)
Feature: On March 15, Pope Francis approved revisions to add 40 new saints to the liturgical calendar, setting the feast days for some in 2021 and 2022. The revised missal would be issued in several languages ahead of publication in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, the Holy See’s Vatican newspaper reported March 15.
CNA Vatican City, Mar 16, 2025 / 08:19 am (CNA).- On March 15, Pope Francis approved revisions to add 40 new saints to the liturgical calendar, setting the feast days for some in 2021 and 2022.
The Secretary of State’s office communicated the additions to the Diocese of Rome in error, publishing a list of the new saints March 12.
The Vatican’s press office corrected the calendar March 14, confirming that the date when the changes would go into effect was March 15, the date Pope Francis would approve a new edition of the Roman Martyrology.
The Vatican’s Liturgical Commission had sent Pope Francis the list of the new saints Feb. 20.
The Revised Martyrology, a book which lists the faithful canonized or beatified by the Church, will be published soon in several languages. The revised edition of the missal is expected to be issued ahead of publication in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, the Holy See’s Vatican newspaper reported March 15.
The additions include Blesseds Rene Goupil and Jean de Brébeuf, of Canada, two French Jesuit priests who died a martyr’s death in 1642 and 1649; and Blessed Isidra of Seville, a Doctor of the Church.
According to an article by Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Italian edition of La Croix, and Vatican Insider’s resident expert on liturgy, today’s adjustments included “very difficult decisions, which required asking questions and discernment.”
Among the cases: Isidora, “whose canonization is requested by the Spanish Church, but the falsity of the miracles is proved,” according to Tornielli.
The feasts of four saints have been moved to other dates: the priest and founder of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Simon Bruté, who will be celebrated Jan. 10 in 2022 in Canada, rather than the former March 18 date.
Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict, will be celebrated on Dec. 10, rather than Dec. 11. Her feast as granted by Benedict XVI was celebrated as an “optional memorial” in the Roman calendar; however, she will now be commemorated as an “optional memorial” in the book of saints used in pontifical celebrations as well.
Blessed Benedict Daswa, a martyr of Malawi who was killed for refusing to renounce Christ, will be celebrated Feb. 28 in 2021.
The nun and foundress of the Annunciation Monastery and her companions will be celebrated Jan. 4, 2022.
The April 27 feast of Joseph and Paul Marello will be moved to March 15.
On Nov. 4 next year, St. Newmemia will be celebrated for the first time in the liturgical calendar, now that her remains have been moved to Rome from Turkey earlier this year.
Blessed Catherine of Bologna, whose tomb is located in the Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi, in the nearby town of Bologna, was celebrated Jan. 9 of this year, but will now be commemorated on the same date worldwide, since she finished her earthly life exactly 400 years ago today, March 16, 1625.
Mother Colman Riordan, from Northern Ireland, whom Pope Francis recognized as a saint March 19 last year, and whom Irish Catholics celebrated for the first time March 13 this year, will now be remembered worldwide on Oct. 7, the date of her imminent canonization.
The process for recognition of saints is administered by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, a dicastery of the Roman Curia.
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