World Witnesses Mother Teresa’s Canonization

The canonization of Mother Teresa took place on the 4th September at the Vatican. This ceremony was transmitted live all over the world. The mass at St. Peter’s square took 2 hours, and it was led by Pope Francis. Mother Teresa was canonized 19 years after she died and in fact even though she was an icon globally for the work she did with the poorest of the poor, yet there were deep criticisms regarding the order which she founded.

Her relics have been and are venerated, and people can even buy 1.5m 95c postage stamps commemorating her and her humility, dedication, simplicity and strength.

Prior to the mass, her images were displayed all over the Vatican, and there were series of different musical events, prayer sessions, seminars and feasts which were held for those who were visiting pilgrims. Rita Ora the British Pop star too performed at the Vatican before the ceremony.

In Kolkata, there were three months of commemorations which were planned. These commemorations included art shows, book launches, stadium masses as well as installing of a bronze life-size statue of her.
The Prime Minister lauded the efforts of Mother Teresa in a radio broadcast. Sonia Gandhi too wrote a letter to the Vatican saying that it was a proud moment for all Indians and not only Catholics that Mother Teresa was canonized.

The Hindu nationalists, however, claimed she surreptitiously baptized dying people without them knowing it. Aroup Chatterjee too who was one of her critics felt that such a huge hoopla should not have been made about a black magic ceremony. He said she was a bogus figure. Some criticized the work the nuns did which lacked medical training. Some did not like her dogmatic views about contraception, abortion, and divorce. Others felt the care the disabled children got was inept and unprofessional.

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