Blessed John Paul II Added To U.S. Liturgical Calendar; Feast Day Set For October 22.

WASHINGTON—The Vatican Congregationfor Divine Worship has approved insertion of the optional memorial of BlessedJohn Paul II in the proper calendar of the dioceses of the United States. Italso has provided the proper liturgical texts for observance of the Memorial inthe Mass and Divine Office. Liturgical prayers and readings for the feast canbe found at: https://www.usccb.org/about/leadership/holy-see/pope-john-paul-ii/memorial-of-blessed-john-paul-ii.cfm

The U.S. bishopslast November voted overwhelmingly to request the addition of the popular pope,who reigned for 27 years, into the U.S. liturgical calendar.

TheOffice of Readings includes an excerpt from Pope John Paul's homily at hisinauguration as pope in 1978, when he stressed "Do not be afraid, Open, I sayopen wide the doors for Christ." The message became one of the signaturestatements of his papacy.

Thebiographical piece in the Divine Office highlights the pope's pastoral visitsaround the world, his participation in the Second Vatican Council, and his zealfor families, young people and the sick. It also noted his promotion of theCatechism of the Catholic Church and the new Code of Canon Law.

---

Keywords: John Paul II, Vatican Congregation for DivineWorship, Divine Office, liturgy, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Code ofCanon Law, Second Vatican Council

# # # # #