Macedonia: Visiting the Mother Teresa Memorial

At 10:05am this morning (4:05am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis paid a visit to the Mother Teresa Memorial.  Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by the Mother Superior and by the Sisters of Mother Teresa and by a child who presented him with flowers.  Then, he stood in front of a statue of Saint Teresa of Calcutta and placed the floral bouquet there.  Afterwards, His Holiness went to the chapel where he met the Leaders of various religious Communities who are were present in the country and two of Mother Teresa's relatives.

On the altar in the chapel, the relics of Saint Theresa were exposed, along with some personal objects and five candles representing the religious Communities.

After a moment of silent prayer before the relic of Saint Teresa, the Pope recited a prayer in honour of Mother Teresa.

When this was completed, the Holy Father greeted the Religious Leaders and the relatives of Mother Teresa and then went to the courtyard where he met with approximately 100 poor people who are being helped by the Missionary of Charity Sisters.

After a brief greeting offered by the Superior of the community, the testimonial of one of those who is being helped by the Sisters and the singing of a song, the Pope blessed the corner stone of the Shrine of Mother Teresa.

Finally, after the concluding blessing, Pope Francis travelled by car to Macedonia Square.

Prayer offered by the Holy Father

in honour of Mother Teresa

God, Father of mercy and all goodness,
we thank you for giving us the life
and the charism of Saint Mother Teresa.

In your boundless providence, you called her
to bear witness to your love
among the poorest of the poor in India and throughout the world.

She was able to do much good to those in greatest need,
for she saw in every man and woman
the face of your Son.

Docile to your Spirit,
she became the prayerful cry of the poor
and of all those
who hunger and thirst for justice.

Taking up the words uttered by Jesus on the cross:
“I thirst” (Jn 19:28),
Mother Teresa sated
the thirst of the crucified Lord
by accomplishing works of merciful love.

Saint Mother Teresa,
mother of the poor,
we ask for your special intercession and help,
here in this city where you were born,
where you had your home.

Here you received the gift of rebirth
in the sacraments of Christian initiation.

Here you heard the first words of faith
in your family and in the community of the faithful.

Here you began to see
and meet people in need,
the poor and the helpless.

Here you learned from your parents to love
those in greatest need and to help them.

Here, in the silence of the church,
you heard the call of Jesus to follow him
as a religious in the missions.

Here in this place,
we ask you to intercede with Jesus,
that we too may obtain the grace
to be watchful and attentive to the cry of the poor,
those deprived of their rights,
the sick, the outcast and the least of our brothers and sisters.

May he grant us the grace to see him
in the eyes of all who look
to us in their need.

May he grant us a heart capable of loving God
present in every man and woman,
a heart capable of recognizing him in those
who experience suffering and injustice.

May he grant us the grace
to become signs of love and hope in our own day,
when so many are poor, abandoned,
marginalized and migrants.

May he grant that our love not only be on our lips,
but that it be effective and genuine,
so that we may bear
credible witness to the Church
whose duty it is to proclaim the Good News to the poor,
freedom to prisoners, joy to the afflicted
and the grace of salvation to all.

Saint Mother Teresa, pray for this city,
for this people, for its Church
and for all those who wish to follow Christ,
the Good Shepherd, as his disciples,
by carrying out works of justice, love,
mercy, peace and service.

To follow him, who came not to be served but to serve,
and to give his life for many:
Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(Blessing of the Corner Stone)
Original text in Italian
Texte en français