Sr Prema on Mother Teresa of Calcutta on her 12^th death anniversary

(September5, 2009) In her message Sr Mary Prema, the superior of the Missionaries of Charity said that “Memory must become witness of God's love for the poor, who lack food and medicine, and those who are poor in spirit, who lacks welcome and friendship.” September 5^th is 12th death anniversary and also the liturgical feast day of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She adopted Calcutta as her home and centre of her mission. Sr. Prema, said that Mother Teresa, committed as she was to the evangelization of Asia, is also proclaimed an "icon of mission of the XXI century" by Pope John Paul II when he beatified her in 2003. A week ago preparations started for the celebration of the centenary of Mother Teresa's birth in 2010. The heroic sanctity of her life assures us said Sr Prema that her death on earth meant her birth in heaven. As much as we miss our Mother, we rejoice that we have her as a friend and intercessor in heaven, close to God. She added that Mother Teresa has shown that there is no poverty more painful than that of being unloved and unwanted. To heal this pain, God calls each one of us to be His love, presence and compassion to the materially and spiritually poorest of the poor. We need not do big things, only small things with great love. At the same time she said, that just remembering Mother on her feast day is not enough. We, too, can bring untold joy, hope and encouragement into the lives of those around us who are suffering not only from the lack of food, medicine, clothing and shelter, but from the lack of a smile, a kind word and a friend's presence.