Catholics welcome announcement of sainthood for Mother Teresa

Catholics in city have welcomed the news of Mother Teresa being declared a Saint on September 4 by Pope Francis. The announcement was on the cards as the Pope had earlier approved her second miracle, a requirement for a person to be declared a Saint.

Aged 87, Mother Teresa passed away in 2003. Born to Albanian Roman Catholic parents, she came to India in 1929. She first served in Darjeeling before moving to Kolkata, where she served destitute and abandoned children till the end. She established Missionaries of Charity that has 4,500 nuns worldwide.

Her first miracle was acknowledged by Pope John Paul II. Her second one was recognised in 2015 by Pope Francis.

"I met her only once when I had gone to Kolkata. There was a certain grace on her face. People like her are living saints, who have done selfless service for everyone irrespective of their community and religion," said Neil Pereira, a resident of Bandra and a Catholic.

He added, "We are proud that the Pope rushed through the process and did not waste time on this."

Another Catholic and Mahim resident Arcanjo Sodder said, "She is one of the people who worked in India and a large number of people that interacted with her have happy memories of her."

"There is also the need to declare Fr. Agnel and priests of Indian descent who were there before Mother Teresa for the work they did," he added.