Washington D.C., Oct 22, 2012 / 16:05 pm
The Congregation for Divine Worship has approved the celebration of Blessed John Paul II's feast day in the dioceses of the United States, after setting the feast day for Oct. 22.
The congregation was petitioned for the permission by the U.S. bishops' conference following their November 2011 meeting.
Bl. John Paul II's feast day is observed as an optional memorial in the dioceses of the United States. His office includes the opening prayer at Mass and the second reading in the Office of Readings, which is part of the Liturgy of the Hours. Additional texts for the Liturgy of the Hours should be taken from the texts common to all pastors who are celebrated liturgically.
Oct. 22 was chosen because it is the anniversary of his inauguration as Pope in 1978.