During her lifetime, Mother Teresa braved the sun for the sake of the poor – to pick them up and provide them shelter and love. Yesterday, at her canonization it was no different; only the shoe was on the other foot, 1.25 lakh pilgrims braved the scorching heat as they gathered to watch Pope Francis declare her a saint – Saint Teresa of Kolkata.

I was miraculously fortunate that I too was there to bear witness to this momentous event at St. Peter’s Square. As the Assistant Director of St. Arnold Nivas, (A Home for the aged) at SVD House campus in Damaskatte, Aikala, DK District, Karnataka, and Retreat Coordinator at Divine Call Retreat Centre Mulki, Karnataka, I happened to be in Rome since August for a four month SVD international Tertiate Renewal program. Despite being in Rome, I did not have much hope of attending the ceremony, as I did not have the required pass to enter the ceremonial area, as all the passes had been given away by mid-July. It is only through the intercession of Mother Theresa I got the required pass just 12 hours before the start of the ceremony which gave me this precious opportunity to witness and cherish this historic event of the catholic faith.

The liturgical celebration began at 10.30am local time and concluded at 12.15pm. The scorching heat of the sun did not deter the enthusiasm of the pilgrims who had come from far and wide to express their love and respect to the Mother. The devotion in which people who participated in the liturgy despite all odds was really edifying. Though people had to stand in queue for about 3-4 hours before entering the St. Peter’s Square and had to continue standing for another 3 hours during the ceremony it was a moment of great joy for them which was evident on their faces.

It is my prayer that the joy expressed during this celebration may continue to reign in the hearts of all pilgrims and all those who have great love for Mother Theresa and rekindle in them true zeal to commit themselves for the cause to the poorest of the poor.