On the occasion, a special message from Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican was read out.
“I am confident that this year will be for the Church and the world an occasion of joyful gratitude to God for the inestimable gift that Mother Teresa was in her lifetime and continues to be through the affectionate and tireless work for you, her spiritual children,” the Pope said in a message to MoC superior-general Sister Prema.
The Pope said that Teresa exemplified the message of St John. “...If God loves us, we ought also to love one another. God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
The mass held at 6:30 am at the first-floor chapel of Mother House was attended by Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo of Ranchi besides 60 priests.
Sister Prema said Mother Teresa brought to the world the assurance of beauty which will always increase and never pass away. “The poor were attracted to Mother because they perceived that her compassion was authentic. In her presence they felt consoled and assured that God loves them and cares for them,” she said.
Mother Teresa, who was beatified in 2003 and became the Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, awaits sainthood in the absence of a second miracle.
“Mother is a saint for all of us, irrespective of the sainthood by the Vatican. The Church has its own way of going about it, but for us she is a saint already. We are in no hurry for her sainthood that way. She has already been beatified, which in itself makes her so special,” Father Orson Welles, a long time associate of Mother, told Deccan Herald.
Archbishop of Kolkata Lucas Sirkar, Bishop of Baruipur Salvadore Lobo, Archbishop Emeritus Henry D’Souza were present besides Fr Brian Kolodeijchuk, the postulator for the cause of Teresa’s sainthood.
DH News Service
