The Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus has been added to the General Roman Calendar. It will be celebrated on July 29. The celebrations of Doctors of the Church Sts. Gregory of Narek, John of Avila and Hildegard of Bingen have also been added.
The Congregation for Divine Worship is the Vatican office in charge of all liturgical matters.
That includes adding feast days to the General Roman Calendar. The most recent example is the decree designating July 29 as the Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Before, this day commemorated Martha alone.
The memorial must now appear on all calendars and liturgical books for Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.
CORRADO MAGGIONI
Undersecretary, Congregation for Divine Worship
“The Holy See received various petitions to celebrate these three siblings on the same day. They offer a common witness of the Gospel message, and they were Jesus' friends.”
This change was made because in the past, some people erroneously thought that Mary Magdalene and Mary the sister of Lazarus were the same person.
Many others however showed that this is not the case, and certain calendars already included the memorial of the three siblings.
CORRADO MAGGIONI
Undersecretary, Congregation for Divine Worship
“Studies from the 40s and 50s showed that Mary Magdalene was not the same person as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. That evidence presented an opportunity to add the three siblings to the General Roman Calendar, in the same memorial and the same day, because, again, Mary Magdalene is not the same as Mary, Martha's sister.”
The Congregation has also added the celebrations of Sts. Gregory of Narek, John of Avila and Hildegard of Bingen as “Doctors of the Church,” a title they have held for many years.
CORRADO MAGGIONI
Undersecretary, Congregation for Divine Worship
“Their addition to the General Roman Calendar will allow the entire Church to value the teachings of these three saints. They're important teachings, because the title of Doctor of the Church implies that their teachings and writings are truly relevant.”
Corrado Maggioni, undersecretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship, says these changes to the Church's General Calendar are an opportunity to let oneself be surprised and to learn from the wisdom of these Doctors of the Church how to steadfastly live out the Christian vocation in these challenging times.
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: CT
