---------------------------------------------------------- ***** CHRISTMAS PARTIES 2002 *****
Dec 21 - GOA-LA, Los Angeles, +1 (714) 821-6168 Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a free party announcement Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/ ---------------------------------------------------------- Candles, flowers celebrate Mother Teresa's papal approval By Krittivas Mukherjee, Indo-Asian News Service Kolkata, Dec 21 (IANS) This historic and much written about city is set to become a significant stop on the Christian pilgrim's map with revered Catholic nun Mother Teresa set for beatification in October next year. Pope John Paul-II on Friday ratified a miracle attributed to Mother Teresa, bringing her a step closer to being declared a saint. The news of papal approval has galvanised sisters and brothers of the Missionaries of Charity (MoC), the order Mother Teresa founded in this crowded metropolis. The MoC's headquarters here at Mother House has been receiving a steady stream of visitors since Saturday morning. Many put wreaths on the shining white marble tomb of the nun inside Mother House, lit incense sticks and candles and stood in silent prayer. Rows of sisters sat on the floor singing hymns with their hands folded. "It is such a happy occasion for us. We have all been waiting for the news," sister Christie said. MoC Superior General Sister Nirmala, who is in Rome, called up after the Pope's ratification to share the news with Mother House. With papal approval for the miracle, Mother Teresa's beatification has been cleared and the official ritual is slated for October 19. The Albania-born nun's beatification could be the fastest among the 460 saints so far anointed by Pope John Paul-II. After beatification, following which the nun will be called "The Blessed", she will be considered for canonisation or sainthood. For this, a second instance of miracle will have to be approved by the Pope. A special thanksgiving mass will be held at Mother House Sunday. A special prayer was said Friday evening. "We will hold a special thanksgiving mass on Sunday morning to express our gratitude to the Vatican," Sister Christie said. While sisters at Mother House immersed in intentionally subdued celebrations and congratulated each other, the mood was one of utter joy at the numerous orphanages, destitute homes and shelters for leprosy patients run by the MoC. Some of the inmates at these homes said the final step of canonisation should also not be delayed for a person like Mother Teresa, already a saint to the hundreds she served in her lifetime. It was not only the beneficiaries of the nun who celebrated the occasion. Members of at least two city clubs distributed sweets to passers-by after receiving the news. And ordinary city residents reacted with unstilted joy. Said Mahesh Chandra Senapathy, a resident of Garia: "Mother Teresa would have remained as close to Kolkatans' hearts as ever with or without this recognition. But it is perhaps good that she is being considered for sainthood because it means a lot in the Christian world." Added Sunanda Sengupta of the CIT Road area, who had come to visit Mother House after hearing the news of the papal approval: "Whatever critics might say, I believe in the power of a pure soul. I believe in the miracle of Mother Teresa." Sengupta was referring to the controversy surrounding the miracle approved by the Pope. He recognised the event of an ailing girl regaining health by wearing a medallion with Mother Teresa's picture on it as a miracle. But doctors who had attended to the sick girl said she was cured by medication. Mother Teresa is the 14th person to be considered for sainthood from India. Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 26, 1910, she came to Calcutta (now Kolkata) on January 6, 1929. Her life was transformed after hearing a "call within a call" to serve ailing humanity on her way to Darjeeling on September 10, 1946. She founded the MoC in 1949. It received the church's approval the following year. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She died here on September 5, 1997. --Indo-Asian News Service ======================================================================== Ongoing: Exhibition of paintings, Art Chamber, Calangute www.goa-art.com Dec 14 onwards: Shireen Mody's Goa 2002 exhibition, Arpora. Tel 2276759 Dec 17, 18, 20: Indo-Portuguese furniture, lectures Fundacao Ph 2230728 Jan 19-22: Gauri Divan's studio pottery, Rust, Aguada Rd Ph 2479340 Dec 23-Jan 7: Dayanita Singh's photo exhibition, Art House Tel 2276123 Jan 18-19: International kite carnival at Morgim beach, Pernem ========================================================================
