Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, today welcomed the news that Pope Francis has announced that Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta will be canonised a saint on Sunday 4 September.
Archbishop Eamon said, “It is wonderful news that Pope Francis has signed the decree for canonisation today, and that from September the Universal Church will formally acknowledge Blessed Mother Teresa as one amongst the communion of saints. Blessed Mother Teresa is much loved in Ireland having been a frequent visitor to our country during her lifetime. At the age of eighteen, she came to study English and begin her life as a nun with the Loreto Sisters of Dublin. In this Year of Mercy, I am especially conscious and express my profound gratitude to the Missionaries of Charity, the religious congregation founded by Blessed Mother Teresa, for their selfless outreach and ministry serving the homeless and hungry here in the Archdiocese of Armagh.
“I will celebrate Mass tomorrow evening at 7.30pm, on the vigil of our patron Saint Patrick, in Saint Malachy’s Church, Armagh, for Blessed Mother Teresa and for the four sisters of the Missionary of Charity – Sisters Anselm, Margherite, Reginette and Judith – and the twelve people, who were brutally murdered in a home for the elderly in Aden, Yemen, on 4 March. Their faith, life and death provide a very strong witness to all Christians at this time.”
Archbishop Eamon concluded, “Tomorrow’s Mass in Saint Malachy’s will be attended by sisters of the Missionaries of Charity living locally, and will be offered for the intentions of the 4,500 worldwide members of the congregation. All are welcome.”
