"This link between holiness and understanding things divine and also human shines out in a very special way in those who have been given the title 'Doctor of the Church,'" he said.
"Indeed, the wisdom that characterizes these men and women is not solely theirs, since by becoming disciples of divine Wisdom they have themselves become teachers of wisdom for the entire ecclesial community. It is in this light that the holy 'Doctors' are inscribed in the General Roman Calendar," Sarah explained.
St. Gregory of Narek was a 10th-century priest, monk, mystic, and poet beloved among Armenian Christians. He was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis in 2015.
He is venerated as a saint both in the Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is not in full communion with Rome.
Sts. John of Ávila and Hildegard of Bingen were named Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
"Doctor of the Church" is a title given to some saints in recognition of their extraordinary contribution and universal importance to the Catholic Church through their learning and writings. At present, the Church has given this title to 36 saints.
From the 12th century, the German St. Hildegard was a Benedictine abbess, writer, philosopher, Christian mystic, and visionary.
She was also one of the best-known composers of sacred monophony, meaning songs with a single tune or melody, usually performed by a single voice or instrument.
St. John of Ávila lived in Spain in the 1500s and is sometimes called the "Apostle of Andalusia" because of his extensive ministry to that area.
He was a priest, author, and mystic, and is known to have corresponded with, and influenced, Spanish saints such as St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of God, and St. Ignatius of Loyola.
With the insertion of their feast days in the General Roman Calendar as optional memorials, the three saints may now be commemorated at Mass and other liturgies.
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Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency's senior Rome correspondent. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri.