Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Arequipa (Agenzia Fides) – In a sign of thanksgiving to God for the gift of the life of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the city of Arequipa has joined in the celebrations taking place all over the world on the occasion of the 100th anniversary since the birth of the Albanian religious sister who is on her way to sainthood. This is what has been communicated by the Archdiocese of Arequipa, which sent Fides information in this regard.
Fr. Alexander Busutil, MSSP, pastor of the Parish "Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta", which is located in Area 13 of ENACE, in the Province of Cayma, said that the whole parish community will be remembering in particular "their patron,” at the Mass on Sunday, August 29 at 10 am, during which a painting with the image of the Blessed, known as the "Angel of the Poor," will be unveiled. On this occasion, biographical materials will be distributed so that pastoral workers can increase the reflection of the faithful who will later attend the scheduled video-forum planned for the following week.
The "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta House,” founded and operated by the Archdiocese of Arequipa, which every day cares for 140 people with limited resources, including elderly, disabled, and street children, also organized a special moment of reflection and prayer on Thursday, August 26, after sharing a "special lunch" that will include distribution of biographical material on the life of Mother Teresa.
Also from the Peruvian Andes, in the Archdiocese of Cuzco, Fides has learned of the celebration of this important date. Today, at 9am, the Archbishop of Cuzco, Archbishop Juan Antonio Ugarte Pérez, will preside the Mass for the Centenary of the birth of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, an event celebrated with particular religious fervor by the Missionaries of Charity, who run a home in the imperial city of Cuzco. The Mass will be held at the Cathedral of Cuzco, and will be attended by the Missionaries of Charity of the "Mother Teresa of Calcutta" House in Cuzco, along with the elderly, women, and children who are housed there. The Missionaries of Charity have extended the invitation to participate in this celebration to the entire community of the Archdiocese.
Mother Teresa visited Peru in 1989 and attended the Fourth International Congress of Theology of Reconciliation, which took place in Callao. She was invited by Archbishop Ricardo Durand SJ, then Archbishop of Callao and President of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference. In 1965, in Venezuela, the Missionaries of Charity opened their first foundation outside India. The Missionaries of Charity are now present in 95 countries worldwide. In America, they are in the following countries: Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucy, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 26/08/2010)
