January 26

Observed on January 26, this feast day unites the commemorations of three influential figures in Christian history. Saint Alberic of Cîteaux was a 12th-century Cistercian abbot noted for his monastic reforms and spiritual writings. Blessed Gabriele Allegra was a 20th-century Franciscan missionary celebrated for translating the Bible into Chinese. Saint Paula of Rome was a noblewoman and disciple of Saint Jerome renowned for her biblical scholarship and charitable work. The joint observance highlights the diverse contributions of saints across different eras and regions. Churches mark the day with liturgical services, hymns, and reflections on faith and devotion.

Australia Day is observed annually on January 26 to commemorate the landing of the First Fleet of British ships in 1788 and the establishment of the first European settlement in Australia. It is marked by community events, citizenship ceremonies, concerts, and fireworks across the country. Official celebrations include the Australian of the Year Awards and flag-raising ceremonies. Many Australians engage in barbecues, beach gatherings, and cultural festivals to celebrate national identity and achievements. In recent years, the date has also prompted discussions about Indigenous history, reconciliation, and alternative commemorations such as Survival Day.

Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 each year to honor the date in 1950 when the Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act and India became a sovereign republic. The central event is the grand parade in New Delhi, featuring military displays, cultural tableaux, and a flypast by the Indian Air Force. The President of India presides over the celebrations as Chief Guest. State capitals hold their own parades and cultural programs, with schools organizing patriotic processions and performances. Republic Day reflects India’s values of democracy, justice, and equality as enshrined in its Constitution.

Saint Alberic of Cîteaux (died 1109) was one of the earliest disciples of Saint Robert of Molesme and served as the second abbot of Cîteaux Abbey in France. He wrote influential monastic statutes emphasizing prayer, manual labor, and communal living, helping to shape the Cistercian Order’s identity. His feast on January 26 is observed with liturgical readings and veneration within the Roman Catholic Church. Monasteries commemorate his legacy through prayer, hymns, and reflections on monastic virtues. The day inspires the faithful to embrace humility, obedience, and devotion as exemplified by Alberic’s life.

Blessed Gabriele Allegra (1907–1976) was an Italian Franciscan friar who dedicated his life to the translation of the Bible into Chinese. He founded the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Hong Kong and led the production of the first modern Catholic Bible in Chinese, known as the Studium Biblicum Translation. His feast day on January 26 honors his scholarly achievements and missionary zeal. Catholic communities celebrate with scripture readings, theological discussions, and prayers for the spread of the Gospel. Allegra’s work remains a cornerstone for Chinese-speaking Catholics worldwide.

Saint Paula of Rome (347–404) was a wealthy Roman noblewoman who became a close companion of Saint Jerome and assisted in the translation of the Bible into Latin, resulting in the Vulgate. She established monastic communities in the Holy Land, including a convent in Bethlehem that served pilgrims and the poor. Her feast on January 26 commemorates her devotion to scripture, ascetic lifestyle, and generosity. Both Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions honor her with liturgies, readings, and prayers that reflect her pioneering role in early Christian monasticism. Her legacy continues to inspire those called to lives of study and service.

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, January 26 features commemorations of saints such as hierarchs, martyrs, and monastic elders, celebrated with specific hymns, readings, and liturgical services. Local jurisdictions may also honor regional saints whose memory falls on this date, and some churches follow the Julian calendar, observing the feast 13 days later. Liturgical texts for the day emphasize themes of repentance, spiritual renewal, and the enduring witness of holy men and women. Services often include veneration of icons, processions, and charitable acts reflecting the virtues of the saints. The day fosters a sense of continuity with the wider communion of Orthodox believers across different cultures.