On this day in 1969, Pope Paul VI created the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which issued new guidelines for naming saints and reformed the universal liturgical calendar.
More than 200 saints were either removed from the calendar, and/or had their status downgraded. With the reform, 46 saints were dropped from the Church's calendar because there wasn't proof that they ever lived nor proof of their miraculous powers. Other saints kept their feast days but their celebration became optional on the Church's liturgical calendar. (Although the observance of their former feast days wasn't required, the Church still considered all these holy people "saints.")
Dorothy of Caesarea was among the saints "dropped" in 1969.
Tradition says she was martyred during Emperor Diocletian's reign when she refused to marry (because she was "married" to God) or to sacrifice to the gods. On her way to execution, a pagan lawyer mockingly asked her to send him fruit from her "bridegroom's garden." Soon after, an angel brought the man a basket of out-of-season flowers and fruit.
St. Dorothy's memorial is February 6, even though it's no longer included in the General Roman Calendar. She is the patron saint of fruit tree growers and orchards. Trees are often blessed on her feast day.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw