Bishops rejoice in Mother Teresa’s imminent sainthood

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s Catholic prelates celebrated the imminent sainthood of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whom they say has a special place in the hearts of the Filipino faithful.

“Blessed Mother Teresa has always been close to us Filipinos. I had the joy of escorting her in one of her visits in 1978,” Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said in an interview over the weekend. “She loves the poor. She has a lot to tell us still.”

Other bishops believed that Filipinos are lucky to have met and witnessed the life of Mother Teresa whose congregation – the Missionaries of Charity – has several centers in communities where many are considered as “poorest of the poor.”

“She exemplifies selfless service which is an antidote to corruption and greed in our country and in the world,” said retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said Mother Teresa provided the world a role model in glorifying God by living and working not for oneself but for others.

“Love is best expressed in her whole life as a witness to Christ,” Ongtioco said.

“Mother Teresa loves the poor, we can follow her example,” added Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon.

Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, for his part, said the imminent sainthood is “extra special” as it will come during the celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.

“Mother Teresa is a living image of God’s mercy because she dedicated her life in service of the poor and the abandoned. Let us ask her to intercede that we may also be the bearers of God’s mercy to those who desperately need His mercy,” he said.

Vatican Radio reported that Pope Francis on Thursday authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate a decree regarding a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Mother Teresa whose real name is Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu.

The Pope’s approval came during a private audience with Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Vatican is yet to announce a canonization date.

Known around the world as Mother Teresa, the future saint was born on Aug. 26, 1910 and died Sept. 5, 1997. She was the founder of the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa was beatified in 2003, earning for her the title “Blessed.”