Why is Joan of Arc not on the Calendar of Saints?

  • Thread starter Thread starter hamburglar
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The same reason that St. Christopher is not on it. The calendar is not a ‘fixed’ one–after all, many people are in the process of becoming saints as we speak (Blessed Teresa of Calcutta), and some have recently (in the last 10 years or so) become saints (St. Pio) and been added to the calendar. But just because a person may not be on the ‘official’ liturgical calendar doesn’t mean they aren’t saints. . .nor that they might not ‘reappear’ (Case in point: My own patron saint was recently put back on the calendar for November 25 after an absence of nearly 40 years as devotions to her have been increasing). Other saints may be celebrated more in other countries (St. Barbara for example, whose feast day is celebrated on December 4 in France but not here in the U.S. except for private devotions or by those parishes named for her, for example).

Should you wish to celebrate privately the feast of St. Joan of Arc-- it is May 30th.
 
I know that not all the saints are on the calendar, as I think the book of saints (not sure what it’s called) is 776 pages. I had thought that St. Philomena was removed because there was a “cult” following her and there wasn’t much historical information about her. But Joan of Arc has great historical significance, and it seems that such an influential figure would be more recognized.
 
Joan of Arc has great historical significance, and it seems that such an influential figure would be more recognized.
Some saints’ feasts are universal (celebrated throughout the world); others are celebrated in certain locations. I would presume that Joan’s feast is celebrated in France, whereas the feasts of other saints, such as Elizabeth Ann Seon, John Neumann, Bl. Katharine Drexel, Bl. Junipero Serra, Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha, the North American martyrs (Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf and companions), Frances Xavier Cabrini, etc., are proper to the United States.
 
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