Thousands Gather at Vatican to Witness Mother Teresa’s Canonization as Saint

Thousands of people gathered at the Vatican on Sunday morning (IST) to witness India’s Mother Teresa being anointed ‘Saint Teresa of Calcutta’. The event was a momentous occasion as the Macedonian-born nun, who founded the Missionaries of Charity, was elevated to sainthood by Pope Francis after the Church recognized two ‘miracles’ attributed to her.

Mother Teresa, who spent 45 years serving the poor and sick on the streets of Kolkata, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2003. The process of becoming a saint is rigorous, with the Catholic Church requiring evidence of two officially recognized miracles attributed to the candidate’s intercession.

The first miracle attributed to Mother Teresa was the healing of a Bengali tribeswoman from an abdominal tumor, while the second miracle involved a Brazilian man who recovered from a coma due to a viral brain infection. These miracles, which were deemed instantaneous, complete, and lasting, played a crucial role in her canonization.

Despite the joyous occasion, Mother Teresa has faced criticism from skeptics and rationalists. Critics have raised concerns about the quality of medical care provided by her missions, her acceptance of donations from questionable sources, and her alleged promotion of suffering over alleviation.

Nevertheless, the canonization of Mother Teresa as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church has been a moment of pride for Indians, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing admiration for her lifelong dedication to serving the marginalized sections of society. The ceremony at the Vatican was attended by her admirers from around the world, celebrating the legacy of a woman who dedicated her life to helping the less fortunate.