Millions are expected to converge in Rome Sept. 4 for the canonization Mass of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who will be proclaimed a saint by the Catholic Church only 19 years after her death Sept. 5, 1997, at the age of 87.
For local faithful who cannot make it to Rome, the Denver community of the Missionaries of Charity are inviting the public to join them in celebrating the canonization of their founder.
Leading up to the canonization, the sisters will host a 9-day novena in spiritual preparation for the canonization.
Beginning Aug. 26, the sisters will open their chapel, at 633 Fox St., to the public from 6-7:30 pm for a prayer service that will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a rosary, a talk, a novena prayer and Benediction. The novena will conclude Sept. 3.
On Sunday, Sept. 4, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at 5 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 600 Galapago Street, in honor of St. Teresa of Calcutta.
On Monday, Sept. 5, the feast day of St. Teresa of Calcutta, a Mass will be held at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph Church.
“Please join us in gratitude to God for the gift of our new saint,” the local superior, Sister Damascene, told the Denver Catholic.
The small community of Missionaries of Charity here in Denver is composed of four sisters, and they live at St. Joseph Parish. The sisters run a short-term women’s shelter called Gift of Mary Shelter.
Mother Teresa visited Denver twice, once in 1986, and again in 1989. It was during the second visit that she announced the foundation of a community of the Missionaries of Charity in the archdiocese.
Photo: Mother Teresa will be canonized a saint on Sept. 4. (Photo by James Baca | Denver Catholic)
