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SAINTHOOD WITHOUT MIRACLES
The news of the 'miraculous' cure of Monica Besra
-a tribal woman from Northern West Bengal through the intercession of Mother
Teresa - the founder of the Kolkata based Orderr of the Missionaries of Charity
- has, it appears, created a storm in a teacup. Can it be that in
Hindu-dominated India and the Marxist West Bengal in particular, there has
sprouted the fear that confirmation of the miraculous happening may draw the
Hindu folks to Christianity, whose saints work wonders?
Health Minister Surya Kanta Mishra, who is seeminly
trying to politicise the 'miracle' issue by claiming that Besra was healed
with medication and not through miracle, should dismiss the fears of Hindu
conversions, for he should know that Hindus are strong believers in their own
faith.
In the Catholic world miracles happen. There
is no denying of this fact. But do we really need a miracle to confirm the
Sainthood of Mother Teresa? In her life-time already she was revered for
her saintly living and was declared 'saint' on the very day she died by people
of all creeds the world over.
In a mark of reverential respect, it was reported,
Kings, Queens and Heads of States attended her
funeral. Her popularity in India, even today
five years after her death is on the rise even over that of
Pandit Nehru, as was revealed in public opinion
poll conducted by Outlook Magazine few weeks ago.
In his report Khurshwant Singh writes: "What
could be a greater miracle than the fact that the educated people of a
Hindu-majority country think Mother Teresa was the greates Indian they had since
they achieved freedom." (Hindustan
Times)
Now we may most sincerely ask, why does the Church
require a miracle to take place to declare one a saint, a miracle that is often
hard to be proved. Miracle happens not because someone performs it but
rather on the strength of one's faith. Isn't there in the bible the story
of the blind man, who on receiving sight rushed to Jesus to thank him, but
Jesus turned to him and said: "Your faith has healed you."
Sainthood hould be conferred on the merit of
'heroic virtues' of the person and do away with 'miracle' requirement. We
have two holy compatriots -Blessed Joseph Vaz and Venerable Agnel de
Souza,
full of heroic virtues waiting for
sainthood.
For now, it is the tidings of great joy for
world-wide lovers of Mother Teresa that she will be beatified by next Spring,
despite claims by West Bengal officials that a cure attributed to her had been
actually through medical treatment. Mother Teresa is considered by the
Pope as much needed role model of holiness for modern world of today.
Miracle or no miracle, we know that this Nobel Prize winner on earth for
her service to humanity has already won the prize of Sainthood in heaven
for her heroic virtues in her life-time.
BASILIO MAGNO.
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