Missionaries of Charity completes 60 years

(October 07, 2010) A thanksgiving Mass marked the completion of 60 years of the Missionaries of Charity (MC), a congregation started by Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata. Celebrations began with a Mass on a rainy morning October 7 at the congregation’s headquarters in Kolkata. “We are very grateful to Jesus and Our Lady for having accompanied us all the way and pray that they continue to be with us,” said MC Superior General Sister Mary Prema. Her predecessor, Sister Nirmala Joshi, said she was filled with deep gratitude and thanksgiving. Salesian Father Sebastian Champanil, who led the Mass, asked the nuns to rediscover their founder’s dedication to serve the poor with a passion for God. “We must contemplate what Mother wants. God used you all for 60 years, so now you must rejuvenate, re-dedicate and continue,” he added. He commended the nuns for caring for the poor, rejected and the handicapped living in adverse conditions. The day-long program included a prayer service, recitation of the rosary at Mother Teresa’s tomb and an Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament by MC nuns and novices. Blessed Teresa founded the MC congregation in 1950.