Mother Teresa an estimable gift for the Church and the world, says Pope’s message

(Aug.26,2010) Describing Mother Teresa as an "exemplary model of Christian virtue", Pope Benedict XVI has urged everyone to draw constantly from her spirituality and example in the service of the poor and the sick. Sending his blessings on the occasion of Mother Teresa's birth centenary celebrations that began on Thursday, the Pope said he was joining spiritually in the celebrations.
In his message addressed to Sister Prema, Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity Congregation, the Pope expressed confidence that the centenary year will be for the church and the world, an occasion of joyful gratitude to God for the "inestimable gift" that Mother Teresa was in her lifetime. "I send cordial greetings to you and all the Missionaries of Charity, as you begin the centenary celebrations of the birth of Blessed Mother Teresa, founder of your Congregation, and an exemplary model of Christian Virtue," the Pope said in the message. It was read during Thursday’s Mass celebrated by Archbishop Lucas Sirkar of Calcutta in the Motherhouse of the Missionaries of Charity.
Mother Teresa exemplified love, the Pope said, and added "May this love, continue to inspire you as Missionaries of Charity, to give yourselves generously to Jesus, whom you see and serve in the poor, the sick, the infirm and the abandoned." Giving his Apostolic Blessing to the Missionaries of Charity and all those the Order served, Pope Benedict said "I encourage you, to draw constantly from the spirituality and example of Mother Teresa, and in her footsteps, to take up Christ's Invitation: “Come, be my light."
The Missionaries of Charity number over 4,500 sisters, who are active in 133 countries. The Order runs homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis. It also conducts children's and family counselling programmes and runs orphanages and schools.