College Celebrates Canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta

Members of the Thomas Aquinas College community celebrated Pope Francis’ canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta on Sunday, recalling fondly her visit to campus nearly 35 years ago.

Having received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, Mother Teresa came to the United States in 1982 to give three Commencement Addresses — at Harvard, Georgetown, and Thomas Aquinas College. “It was a singular privilege to have among us this ‘Saint of the Gutters,’” recalled President Michael F. McLean. “The warmth of her smile touched the hearts of all who encountered her.”

At the conclusion of Sunday’s 9:00 a.m. Mass in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, Head Chaplain Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., blessed a bronze bust of the new saint. The bust, which regularly resides in St. Bernardine of Siena Library, was a gift to the College memorializing St. Teresa’s 1982 visit. Additionally, the College presented to all of its students and staff Miraculous Medals that were blessed and placed on St. Teresa’s tomb. These third-class relics are the gift of an alumna of the College, Sr. Marcella, M.C. (Maggie Isaacson ’86), who knew and worked with St. Teresa as a member of her religious order, the Missionaries of Charity.

Later that afternoon in St. Joseph Commons, the College presented a video of St. Teresa’s 1982 Commencement Address, as well as a video of her remarks at the 1994 National Prayer Breakfast, during which she gave an eloquent defense of the unborn — “the poorest of the poor” in an otherwise prosperous nation.

“We rejoice at the canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta,” said Dr. McLean. “We pray that the Church’s newest saint will intercede for the College and its many friends in all their needs.”

St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!