Editorial

Saint Teresa of Calcutta…pray for us

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Last Sunday Pope Francis declared that Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu is in Heaven. Known to the world as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the Church’s newest saint has much to teach us today.

The canonization of saints represents one of the most important tasks of the Roman Pontiff. In canonizing a saint, the Pope first gives glory to God for what He has accomplished in this person. A new saint is principally a testament to God’s grace.

The Church canonizes saints in order that the Catholic people can be assured that the individual is in Heaven and thus interceding for them. Now, with certainty we can call upon Mother Teresa’s intercession and aid.

A canonization also reminds the Catholic people of the virtues of a particular Christian and raises them up for emulation. Pope Francis then wants to tell the world that this is a particularly Christian way to live. And what exactly was that?

In a word, Mother Teresa lived a life poured out in love of Jesus. She was definitely not generically religious or simply spiritual. Instead, she was a committed Christian, convinced that Jesus Christ is redeemer of the world. She was committed to the teachings of the Church of Christ, including those about the protection of human life and the sanctity of human sexuality. She committed her life to serving the poorest of the poor with a charity born from the Eucharist. Mother Teresa lived a life poured out in love and we rightly thank God for the gift she was — and is — to the Church.