Celebrating the canonisation of Mother Teresa in Sri Lanka, far from Rome

The Missionaries of Charity in the Asian country will not be in Rome for the ceremony on 4 September. They will remain with “our beloved poor”. For this moment, they “have prepared several activities of meeting and prayer”. It will be “a time of joy”.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The Missionaries of Charity in Sri Lanka have decided to undertake a "spiritual" pilgrimage to prepare for the canonisation of Mother Teresa, said Sister M. Johannes MC, regional superior of the order founded by Mother Teresa.

Since they will not be in Rome for the ceremony, they will celebrate in the various houses of the country together with "our beloved poor”, she told AsiaNews. “We have known this for a long time. We are sure that the founder is a saint. But the rite of canonisation will be a time of joy.”

“For this moment, we have prepared several activities of meeting and prayer. On 5 September, we all gathered in our Shanti Niwasa (House of Peace) to celebrate the holiness of Mother Teresa."

On 23 August, the nuns and those they help went on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lanka in Tewatte.

"On 11 September, we will be in the Church of St John the Baptist, in Mutwall. We chose this parish because Mother visited it during her visit to the country in 1986. The parishioners are very happy, because some of them met her during the trip. They will bring their memories. It will be a major moment ".

For 27 August, the Missionaries have prepared a meeting with young people, whilst on the 28, it will be the turn of the homeless. On the 31st, it will be children.

"We will celebrate together the Holy Mass, confess and approach the communion. As our founder taught us, the real celebration is in the sacraments. As his daughters, we thank God for the wonderful gift of her life. We too shall try to live with her spirit."

• sri lanka
• vatican
• catholic church
• canonisation
• mother teresa
• missionaries of charity
• poor