Meeting Mother Teresa
As a young priest and bishop, I witnessed firsthand St. Teresa of Calcutta’s intrepid faith and charity
By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori 9/1/2022
Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori
THE PREMIERE of the Knights of Columbus documentary about St. Teresa of Calcutta brings back memories of my encounters with her. I met her because of my role as priest-secretary to Cardinal James Hickey in Washington, D.C. In 1981, soon after his arrival in Washington, then-Archbishop Hickey invited Mother Teresa’s sisters, the Missionaries of Charity, to open a convent there. Mother Teresa accepted the invitation and wisely chose to open a convent for her contemplative sisters. Their prayerfulness paved the way for the works of charity of her active sisters, who were soon to arrive.
Mother Teresa’s second house in Washington was for pregnant homeless women. I will never forget the day Cardinal Hickey came to bless it, and for two reasons: First, in those days before GPS and cell phones, I got lost, and so the cardinal and I were late. Second, when we did arrive, I saw Mother Teresa in person for the first time. She was at prayer, sitting on the floor toward the back of a simple, dimly lit chapel. After Mass, I was introduced to her as the one who delayed the proceedings.
Years later, Mother Teresa decided to open yet another home in Washington — one that would serve homeless people who had AIDS or were terminally ill. She was also looking for a convent for her young sisters preparing for final profession. Cardinal Hickey assigned me to go on the “real estate tour” with Mother Teresa and her counselors. We visited several properties owned by the archdiocese, including a large building that housed Catholic Charities at the time. I was hoping she would not choose it; if she did, Catholic Charities would have to find new headquarters. But after looking at that property, Mother Teresa called a huddle with her sisters and then proceeded to put Miraculous Medals in the mortar of the building. My heart sank. I knew she had found her building. The homeless moved in, and Catholic Charities moved out. It turned out to be a blessing for everyone, including Catholic Charities, which relocated next to a downtown parish.
‘As I reflect on Mother Teresa’s life and spirituality, two things stand out: The first is how she cherished the gift of human life. The second is how she connected love of the Lord in the Eucharist with love for the poor.’
Through the years, Mother Teresa frequently came to Washington for the final profession of her sisters. By then, I had met her many times. She was small in stature yet larger than life. She had a beautiful smile and never wasted words. She was laser-focused on her mission of charity. Meeting her, I knew I was in the presence of a living saint. In 1995, soon after I became auxiliary bishop of Washington, I celebrated a Mass of Final Profession for her sisters with Mother Teresa present. No pressure there!
As I reflect on Mother Teresa’s life and spirituality, two things stand out: The first is how she cherished the gift of human life. The second is how she connected love of the Lord in the Eucharist with love for the poor.
Mother Teresa taught us to love both the mother facing a difficult pregnancy and her unborn child. Her sisters have been “walking with moms in need” for a long time. They surround both mother and child with love and care for their needs, while also embracing abandoned children. For Mother Teresa and her sisters, respect for human life from the moment of conception until natural death is not an abstract principle, but a way of life. They serve the poorest of the poor and minister to the sick and dying as if to Christ himself.
Mother Teresa often spoke of how her sisters gathered to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Then, they would go out to wash the sores on the body of Christ, the homeless on the streets of Calcutta.
As an Order committed to building a culture of love and life, and as Knights of the Eucharist, let us look to Mother Teresa’s example and seek her intercession. St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!