Postulator: Mother Teresa, patron saint of those in need of God's mercy

Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk MC: "The entire Missionaries of Charity family rejoices and is grateful to Pope Francis for this significant event", the canonization of “the icon of God’s tender mercy”. With her example and her intercession, may Mother Teresa inspire many to offer "their hearts to love and their hands to serve", starting with those closest to us. Growth of vocations among the Missionaries founded by "God's pencil".

Calcutta (AsiaNews) - The family of the Missionaries of Charity "rejoices and is grateful to Pope Francis for this significant event", the canonization of “the icon of God’s tender mercy. Mother Teresa can be considered God the patron saint of those who have most need of mercy " writes the postulator of the cause of canonization, Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk MC, in a message published on the occasion of the Consistory in which the Pope has established the canonization of "God's pencil" for next September 4th.

The Missionaries of Charity - active and contemplative -  numbered 3,842 at the time of the future saint's death, engaged in 594 homes in 120 countries. 10 years after her death (2007) that number was  4,823, in 757 houses scattered in 134 countries. In 2010, it had climbed to 5,029 in 766 houses, and 137 countries and by 2015 it was 5,150 in 758 houses in  139 nations.

The active Brothers were 363 in 1997, 68 houses in 19 countries; in 2007 there were 367 in 68 houses in 21 countries; in 2010 there were 377, in the same number of houses and nations, while in 2015 they were 391 in 69 houses. The contemplatives have risen from 14 in 2007 to 44 in 2010. There has also been an increase in the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa: There were 13 at the time of her death, which grew to 35 in 2015. Here is the full text written by the postulator.

The entire Missionaries of Charity family – Sisters, Brothers, Fathers, coworkers, Corpus Christi Movement for Priests, lay associates (Lay Missionaries of Charity and I Thirst Movement), volunteers, benefactors, friends of different faiths, and especially the poorest of the poor – rejoices and is grateful to Pope Francis for this significant event in its history and in the life of the Church during this Jubilee of Mercy.

It is providential that the approved miracle that occurred in Santos, Brazil in 2008 through the intercession of Blessed Teresa, was brought to the attention of the Postulation only in late 2013 and received approval in December 2015. Thus Mother Teresa’s canonization becomes a major event of the Jubilee of Mercy.

Even in her lifetime, Mother Teresa was an icon of God’s tender mercy, radiating the light of God’s love to so many through the works of mercy, both material and spiritual. From heaven she continues to fulfil her mission as she “lights the light of those in darkness on earth.” With her canonization, the Church presents her as a model and intercessor of those who, like her, “long to light the fire of love and peace throughout the world.” She can be taken as a patron saint especially for those who are most in need of God’s mercy.

By her example and through her intercession, may Mother Teresa inspire many to give their ‘hearts to love and their hands to serve’, starting with those closest to them. May we all continue to live and deepen our awareness of being in need of mercy and our willingness to extend mercy in our communities, in our families and in our service of the poor.

As the Cause of Canonization draws to a close, the Missionaries of Charity and the Postulation express their gratitude to all those who have helped and supported us in carrying out Mother Teresa’s Cause of Canonization.

With much gratitude let us pray, Blessed – and future Saint – Teresa, pray for us!

To follow all the latest news on the Cause and the celebrations for Mother Teresa’s canonization visit the official site: http://www.motherteresa.org/

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