The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has officially inscribed St. Teresa of Calcutta into the General Roman Calendar. Along with this announcement, the Dicastery released liturgical texts to accompany her feast day, which will be observed annually as an optional memorial on September 5, the anniversary of her death in 1997.
Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery, highlighted the significance of this decision, describing Mother Teresa as “a beacon of hope, small in stature but great in love, a witness to the dignity and privilege of humble service in the defence of all human life and of all those who have been abandoned, discarded and despised even in the hiddenness of the womb.” His remarks were shared in a comment released alongside the decree.
Born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje as Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, Mother Teresa entered religious life as a Sister of Loreto in Calcutta, India, making her solemn vows in 1937. In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to serving the poorest and most vulnerable. Today, the Missionaries of Charity have grown to over 6,000 sisters active in 130 countries.
Throughout her lifetime, Mother Teresa gained worldwide recognition for her charitable work. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II on October 19, 2003. On September 4, 2016, Pope Francis canonized her during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
The inscription of her feast day in the Roman Calendar comes as a response to numerous requests from bishops, religious communities, and lay faithful. Cardinal Roche emphasized that her life and spirituality offer an “outstanding witness to hope for those who had been discarded in life.”
During her canonization Mass, Pope Francis described her as a “conduit of divine mercy that illumines the darkness that surrounds us.” He acknowledged her mission as a lasting testament to God’s closeness to the most vulnerable members of society.
The newly released liturgical texts reflect the essence of Mother Teresa’s mission. The Collect prayer emphasizes Christ’s presence in the suffering of the poor. The First Reading for the memorial Mass is taken from the Book of Isaiah, focusing on the type of fasting that is pleasing to God. The Gospel passage highlights the revelation of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to those who are humble and childlike.
The Liturgy of the Hours for her feast day includes an excerpt from a letter she wrote to Fr. Joseph Neuner in 1960, where she expressed her deep struggle with the “Dark Night of the Soul,” a concept known in mystical theology and famously described by St. John of the Cross. Despite this profound spiritual trial, she continued her mission with unwavering faith and joy, believing that her suffering could bring light to others.
With her inclusion in the General Roman Calendar, the Church formally recognizes the enduring impact of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s life and work. Her legacy continues to inspire people around the world to serve with love, humility, and compassion.