Vatican waives rule for Mother Teresa

The Vatican has allowed a 'requiem' in memory of Mother Teresa in churches across West Bengal on her seventh death anniversary on September 5, waiving a ban on personal mass on Sundays.

'Since Sunday is the Lord's day, no other feast is allowed. But in the case of Mother Teresa, the Vatican has made an exception and allowed mass to be held in her memory,' the Missionaries of Charity said.

Though the waiver allows the mass to be held in all churches in the state, the ceremony is likely to be held only in Missionaries of Charity churches and those frequented by its nuns. Mass will also be held at St Mary's Church on Ripon Street, South Kolkata. The church was Teresa's favourite place of worship where she had encouraged many nuns to take their vows.

The Vatican had put the Nobel laureate on the fast track to sainthood by waiving the mandatory five-year waiting period after her death on September 5, 1997, to begin the diocesan inquiry into her life and virtues.

On the basis of the inquiry findings, including claims by a tribal woman of cure at Mother Teresa's intervention, the Vatican beatified the nun last October, conferring on her the title Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata.

The Missionaries of Charity held a special Mass on Friday in memory of their Order's founder on the eve of her death anniversary. The main celebrant, Archbishop of Kolkata Lucas Sircar, was assisted by 20 specially invited priests.

Many people from other faiths attended the 90-minute Mass in the chapel of Mother House.

After Mass, Archbishop Lucas and Superior General Sister Nirmala sang Happy Birthday at Mother Teresa's tomb.

Singer Usha Uthup, an associate of Mother Teresa, participated in the programme.