KOLKATA, India, SEPT. 7, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Missionaries of Charity around the world marked on Saturday the 12th anniversary of the death of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, looking to next year’s 100th anniversary of her birth.
The superior-general of the congregation, Sister Mary Prema, said that preparations began a week ago for what would have been Mother Teresa’s 100th birthday. Sister Prema is the second successor of Blessed Teresa, who founded the Missionaries of Charity.
«Today,» she added in a statement, «we commemorate the 12th anniversary of her death. The heroic sanctity of her life assures us that her death on earth meant her birth in heaven.»
«Mother Teresa opened her heart to love all people,» the nun reflected about her founder. «She continues to inspire us all to open our eyes to see the dignity of a child of God in the poor and to bring peace and joy to them through our humble services.»
Meanwhile, an advocacy group giving voice to Christians persecuted in India, the Global Council of Indian Christians, also stopped to recall the anniversary of Blessed Teresa’s death, as did groups representing people of other faiths.
Mother Teresa was beatified in 2003.
