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.

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.