Honouring Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Mother Teresa of Calcutta was born at Skopje, in Albania on August 26, 1910. Tomorrow marks the centenary of her birth, therefore. As the Catholic Church faces unprecedented problems and lies bleeding from wounds mostly self inflicted by her own clergy, it would be most appropriate to remember this exemplary Catholic nun who for many decades during her lifetime, through her saintliness and dedication to others, acted as a beacon of light and hope for many and, more especially, for the despairing masses, in the darkness that often surrounds the world.

In 1928, at the age of 18, she left her home to become a nun before sailing to India on her long missionary journey, which was to be her lifetime’s vocation and ultimate achievement. From then on she lived most of her life in India and died there on September 5, 1997.

During these almost 70 years of life in India she was to gain worldwide fame and recognition, making of her almost an icon of the late 20th century. Her diminutive figure and wrinkled face with the engaging smile became a prominent feature in all forms of media of the time. Famous people, ranging form popes, princesses, presidents, politicians, entertainers, and others, sought to rub shoulders with her and be photographed in her presence.

Her influence was such that, at times, she was referred to as the “most powerful woman in the world”. She was given a number of prizes including the Indian Padmashari Award in 1962, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Noble Prize in 1979. She received all these rewards “for the glory of God and in the name of the poor”.

Despite the world attention on her and her activities in the last three decades of her long life she remained the earthly, humble sister who had arrived at Calcutta on January 6, 1929. Her inspiration and driving force was the deep-seated belief that “unless a life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile”. Her faith in God and her sincerity in serving Him without boundaries were to be the impetus of her mission.

If only people could still be inspired by such noble thoughts what a different world we would be in! Instead, we are consumed by unbridled materialism and the frenetic pursuit of success, two of the main scourges of our times that leave people stressed, unhappy and devoid of spiritual sustenance.

On September 10, 1946, during the long train journey from Calcutta to Darjeeling, she received her “call within a call” from God. On October 7, 1951 she founded the congregation of the Missionaries of Charity at Calcutta to look after those in need and the sick and abandoned in the slums of that teeming and violent city. From there she was to send her sisters to other parts of India. In 1963, she founded the Missionaries of Charity Brothers and, in 1984, the Missionaries of Charity Fathers. She then turned her attention to the lay workers and founded the Co-Workers of Mother Teresa and later the Sick and Suffering Co-Workers. From then on, her mission spread throughout the world.

Less than two years after her death, Pope John Paul II, by popular acclamation, opened her cause for canonisation. On December 20, 2002 he approved the decrees of her heroic virtues and miracles and on October 19, 2003 the crowds attending the beatification of Mother Teresa at the Vatican, estimated at 300,000, stretched right back to the banks of the Tiber at the end of Via Della Conciliazione. The Pope, as seen in close-ups on the big screens in the square, appeared deeply moved. He and Mother Teresa were great friends; they would even sing boisterous hymns together. The Sisters of Charity, members of Mother Teresa’s congregation, were there and the front rows were filled with the poor and the sick. It was a great occasion not easily forgotten by those who experienced it.

The Church is now awaiting the confirmation of a second miracle to formalise her canonisation.

In December 1999, right before the turn of the Millennium, Mother Teresa was voted by the American people as the most admired person of the 20th century.

She has now been deceased for more than 10 years but her great faith in God and, through Him, her search for peace and justice among nations should continue to inspire and lead us.

Javier Perez de Cuellar, Secretary General of the United Nations at the time of her death, said of her: “She is the United Nations; she is the peace of the world.”

Various countries are commemorating the centenary of her birth. It would, therefore, be a good idea if our own country, through the state and the Church authorities, were to honour her in this year of the centenary of her birth by some form of appropriate celebration.