Saint Mother Teresa's Legacy for Youth

 St. Teresa of Calcutta - An Exemplary Life

  

On Thursday, September 22, 2016, I had the pleasure of participating in a special outdoor mass at Mother Teresa High School in recognition of the canonization of Mother Teresa. Opening remarks were made by Mother Teresa Principal Gerard Stephenson, OCSB Chairperson Elaine McMahon, and Director of Education Denise Andre. His Grace, Archbishop Terence Prenderagast, presided and spoke in his homily about Mother Teresa's life of humble service to the poorest of the poor. To commemorate this special day, the school presented Elaine McMahon with a framed picture of Mother Teresa, taken by Jean-Marc Carisse. At Mother Teresa High School Canonization Outdoor Mass L. to R. Me, Father Frank Brewar, OCSB Chair Elaine McMahon, Archbishop Terence Prendergast, Board Chaplain Fr. Peter Sanders, OCSB Director of Education Denise Andre  Following the mass, Ms. Jennifer Simpson, Department Head of English at Mother Teresa High School, gave a stirring address that, like Archbishop Prendergast's homily, focused on the exemplary life of Mother Teresa.  I was so moved by her speech that I asked her permission to include the text of her speech in this blog post.  On the occasion of Mother Teresa’s Canonization Every day we walk through the school’s atrium we pass the huge image of Mother Teresa dressed in her white and blue sari with her arms outstretched as if to protect the children beneath her.  While the real-life Mother Teresa was only five feet tall, the enormous size of her image in our atrium reflects the influence she has had over our understanding of love and compassion. The principle of doing unto others lives within the very walls of this school.  Thus, Pope Francis proclaimed Mother Teresa a saint on September 4, 2016, 19 years after her death, and gave her the Catholic Church’s highest honour.  The beginnings of her journey of devotion, however, started when she was just 18, the same age many of our graduates will be next June.  She committed 70 years to the “unwanted, unloved, and uncared for” in the Calcutta slums, and consequently was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Altar for Mother Teresa Outdoor Canonization Mass  While our graduates prepare to journey into their own uncertain futures, may they measure their success not by the amount of money they make or by the number of degrees they earn but by their ability to apply Mother Teresa’s lessons in humility, generosity and selflessness.  Along with parents, guardians, and teachers who have guided and nurtured all of you, Mother Teresa too has been ever present in all of your lives. Bird's eye view of Outdoor Mass Finally, there is no greater symbol of Mother Teresa’s vision than the dove.  Since ancient cultures saw doves as motherly figures, this uplifting image foretells Mother Teresa’s hope for us to “Go out into the world today and love the people [we] meet” and to “Let [our] presence light new light in the hearts of people”.  Remembering these words and believing, as she did, in living Christ’s message is the responsibility of all Mother Teresa students.  The ripple effects of our actions will extend far beyond our school’s boundaries.  Thus, releasing this flock of doves symbolizes our dedication to Mother Teresa’s vision of peace and love.  God Bless you all. Saint Mother Teresa   Jean-Marc Carisse photo of Saint Mother Teresa during her                1988 visit tending to Father Fortin at the Ottawa Hospital             The original photo is on diplay at Mother Teresa High School