Sr Dr M Jeswina AC
Principal, St Agnes College
Mangaluru, Sep 8: On the occasion of St Mother Teresa’s canonization, St Agnes College has fond memories of her visit and stay at their convent. It was their joy and privilege to have her as chief guest on the occasion of the platinum jubilee of the college.
Sr Dr M Olivia AC, former principal had the privilege to invite the Saint of the Gutter, Mother Teresa, the Nobel Laureate and now the canonized saint to the campus. She arrived at the convent on January 28, 1995 and stayed there for 3 days. It was a time of grace for all the sisters and the general public as hundreds of them flocked either to get a glimpse of her holy countenance or receive a prayerful touch and blessing.
Her life of simplicity, humility and sanctity has left an indelible mark on all which is still treasured with love and gratitude. She had no demands to make but went about with a sweet smile radiating the joy and love of Jesus.
The platinum jubilee celebrations of the college started with a thanksgiving Mass at St Sebastian’s Church, Bendore on January 30, 1995. After the Eucharistic celebration, the formal programme was held on the open air stage. A large crowd gathered to listen to the message of the saintly Mother Teresa. On the occasion, she spoke on love, compassion for the poor and the suffering, care and concern for the dying and to do all that we can for the less fortunate and destitutes and those in the gutters. She pleaded with the audience, not to kill the infant in the womb. God alone has the right to give life and to take it away. Her frequently repeated sentence was 'Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters that you do unto me' as Jesus said. She appreciated the work done by the Apostolic Carmel in the field of women’s education.
Those 3 days with Mother Teresa were days of bliss and grace. She spread God’s love and message through her words and deeds. Most of the time, she would sit in the chapel and pray. Unmindful of her age and weariness she met and blessed every person who came to meet her on those days.
She re-visited Mangaluru on August 12 1995 to open a new house for her congregation at Bendore, here. Though arrangements were made for her to stay at Fatima Rereat House, she requested the former bishop Dr Basil D’Souza to stay with the sisters at St Agnes. Indeed it was a privilege for those at St Agnes to have the living saint with them. She hallowed the campus with her loving, caring, compassionate and holy life. During her stay there, she signed the agreement at the convent chapel with the bishop Dr Basil D’Souza to start her new house in the city.
On the following day, she moved to the new house in order to set it up for the arrival of four sisters from her congregation. She personally supervised the work and helped to get all things necessary for the new house. The sisters of St Agnes Convent were happy to share with Mother Teresa a few things required for the convent and the chapel.
St Agnes College was blessed by Mother Teresa on the occasion of the platinum jubilee. Now as the college prepares for its centennial celebrations, they have the joy to claim that they have a saint in their midst to bless them on the occasion and a powerful intercessor to make their mission of education fruitful.
May Saint Mother Teresa pray to Jesus for all of them to continue the mission of educating the youth.