Memorial of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Tomorrow, September 5, is the liturgical memorial of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. She died on the same day in 1997, acclaimed by many as a "living saint".

Born Gonxha Agnes Bojaxhiu of Albanian parents in 1910, she joined the Sisters of Loreto and became a teacher. Later on, she received her "call within a call," seeing her vocation to "to quench Jesus' thirst for love and for souls.” She then set out to establish the Missionaries of Charity dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor beginning in Calcutta, India. The Institute is now present in many parts of the world, ministering to the most needy and the most destitute, living among them and sharing their life.

Mother's inspiration is a shining light for our time when selfishness and materialism are prevalent. She shows us the radical meaning of belng human and Christian-being broken and poured out for the life of the world.


COLLECT

God,
who called blessed Teresa, virgin
to respond to the love of your Son thirsting on the cross
with outstanding charity to the poorest of the poor,
grant us,
we beseech you,
by her intercession,
to minister to Christ in his suffering brothers and sisters.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


Below are some helpful links:

Biography
The Official Site for the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Mother Teresa of Calcutta Center (contains the full Proper of the liturgy for her feast)
Corpus Christi Movement for Priests
Norms for the Cultus of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (please scroll down)


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