On September 4, 2016, a significant event occurred in history. Mother Teresa was officially recognized as a saint and given the title “Saint Teresa of Calcutta” by Pope Francis. During her canonization Mass, Pope Francis described Mother Teresa as a generous dispenser of divine mercy, emphasizing her dedication to defending and valuing human life, including the unborn and the abandoned.
Mother Teresa’s canonization took place on the day before the 19th anniversary of her death on September 5, 1997, at the age of 87. Born as Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje, North Macedonia (then known as Skjope), she had Albanian heritage according to the Nobel Peace Prize website. Mother Teresa felt the call to religious life during her adolescence and left home at the age of 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland. In honor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, she was given the religious name “Sister Mary Teresa.”
After arriving in India a little over a year later, Mother Teresa embarked on her lifelong mission. In 1948, she founded a new religious order called the Missionaries of Charity, leaving the Sisters of Loreto. The Missionaries of Charity, recognizable by their blue-and-white saris, have now become a worldwide religious congregation dedicated to caring for the dying and the poorest of the poor.
Mother Teresa’s work in serving the poor and dying gained international recognition, earning her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Her remarkable dedication to humanity and her faith in Jesus’ heart set her apart as a saintly figure. Although all Christians are called to be saints, Mother Teresa’s virtuous life, selfless sacrifice, and the miracles attributed to her intercession made her worthy of canonization.
Typically, the process toward canonization begins five years after a person’s death, but in the case of Mother Teresa, St. Pope John Paul II waived this waiting period. The Vatican then approves the person after recognizing their holy life as “Venerable.” One or more miracles attributed to the potential saint are then investigated by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Medical healings that cannot be explained scientifically are often considered as potential miracles.
For Mother Teresa’s canonization, two miracles were officially attributed to her intercession. The first miracle involved the healing of Monica Besra from India, who was terminally ill with a cancerous tumor. After a ray of light emitted from a picture of Mother Teresa and a Missionary of Charity sister placed a medal of the Virgin Mary on Besra, the tumor vanished within hours. The rapid and unexplainable nature of this healing led to its approval as a miracle by the Vatican.
The second miracle revolved around the healing of Marcilio Andrino from Brazil, who suffered from a brain infection and hydrocephalus. Despite prayers and the placement of a relic of Mother Teresa on his head, his condition worsened. On December 9, 2008, Andrino slipped into a coma, and doctors attempted to save his life. However, when the surgeon returned to the operating room, Andrino had miraculously awakened and was pain-free. This extraordinary recovery led to the approval of his healing as a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa’s intercession.
Overall, Mother Teresa’s canonization as Saint Teresa of Calcutta exemplifies her selfless devotion to serving the poor and her unwavering faith. Her recognition as a saint not only honors her extraordinary life but also provides inspiration for individuals to follow her virtuous example.
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