Saint Gregory of Narek

On January 25, 2021, Pope Francis ordered the inscription of Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church, into the General Roman Calendar.  St. Gregory is celebrated each year as an Optional Memorial on February 27.

The proper liturgical texts were released by the Holy See in Latin (see pages 1-3). English and Spanish translations must be approved by the USCCB and confirmed by the Holy See before they can be implemented in the United States.

Below are interim liturgical guidelines for the celebration of St. Gregory of Narek:

Roman Missal

From the Common of Doctors of the Church, or the Common of Holy Men and Women: For an Abbot.

Lectionary for Mass

Aside from the usual Mass readings of the day, any Lectionary readings from the Common of Doctors of the Church or Common of Holy Men and Women may be used for St. Gregory of Narek. The following readings are also recommended by the Holy See, and will appear in a future edition of the Lectionary for Mass. (Current citations from the Lectionary's Common of Doctors of the Church are provided for convenience.)

From the Common of Doctors of the Church, or the Common of Holy Men and Women, or:

First Reading – Wisdom 7:7-10, 15-16 (no. 725-2)
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 30-31 (no. 727-2)
R/. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Gospel Acclamation – See John 6:63c, 68c (no. 729-3)
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.

Gospel – Matthew 7:21-29 (no. 730-2)
He taught them as one having authority.

Liturgy of the Hours

Because the celebration of St. Gregory of Narek falls variably in Lent and Ordinary Time, there are different indications depending on the time of the year:

Lent

Office of Readings

All from the Lenten weekday. After the Second Reading and Responsory of the Lenten weekday, an additional reading, responsory, and concluding prayer from the Common of Doctors of the Church or Common of Holy Men: For Religious is permitted.

Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer

All from the Lenten weekday. After the concluding prayer of the Lenten weekday, the appropriate antiphon below may be added, followed by a concluding prayer from the Common of Doctors of the Church or the Common of Holy Men: For Religious.

Morning Prayer
Ant. Those who are learned will be as radiant as the sky in all its beauty; those who instruct the people in goodness will shine like the stars for all eternity.

Evening Prayer
Ant. O blessed doctor, Saint Gregory, light of holy Church and lover of God's law, pray to the Son of God for us.

Ordinary Time

Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, and Evening Prayer

Psalmody of the day, other elements from the Psalter of the day or the Common of Doctors of the Church or Common of Holy Men: For Religious.