The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman celebrated the canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta on September 13th at Se Cathedral Old Goa. Representatives from all the parishes took part in the celebration. The Pontifical Mass at Se Cathedral, Old Goa was celebrated by Ferrao as part of the celebrations at the level of the archdiocese of Goa and Daman, following the canonization of St Teresa. The mass was also concelebrated by several other priests from across the state.
[su_expand more_text=”READ MORE” less_text=” ” height=”0″ hide_less=”yes” link_style=”button” link_align=”center”]Mother Teresa, who was canonized as St. Teresa of Calcutta at the Vatican by His Holiness Pope Francis on September 4, was a shining star that radiated light in the darkness and showered love to the poor and the marginalized, said Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao here on Tuesday. Prominent among those present for the mass were sisters from the missionaries of charity, a congregation founded St. Teresa, sisters from other congregation and also seminarians. A procession carrying the picture of St. Teresa was led by the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa Sisters), along with a few chosen inmates from their various houses.
Delivering an inspiring 20-minute homily in Konkani to a large congregation, the archbishop said “we all like light and therefore we long to come out of darkness. This is exactly what St Teresa did and became a glow while she served the poorest of the poor for whom life had become full of darkness,” he said.
Recalling quotations from the scriptures, ‘’Whatever you do to the least of my brethren you do unto me’, the archbishop said that “St Teresa lived up to these teachings all her life and became a role model for each one of us”.
After the mass, Sara D’mello, one of the inmates of the home sang a song in honor of the Saint. Also, a video on the life of Mother Teresa was screened followed by the experiences of the people who were touched by her. A brief skit performed by Santa Monica sisters depicted how the joy of the canonization echoed in heaven and on earth. Ferrao also launched a new website accessible at www.goadcscm.com on the diocesan social communications media, on the occasion. The ceremony ended with the kissing of the relic of St. Teresa.
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