Mother Teresa’s Clear, Quiet Message at Saint Mary’s

September 2, 2016 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, better known as Mother Teresa, will be canonized on Sunday into sainthood. It will be a joyous occasion as the Church recognizes a woman who dedicated her life to serving the poor. We recall her visit to Saint Mary’s College in July 1974. The trip was sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, led by superior general Sister Kathleen Ann Nelligan, CSC, and by Monsignor John J. Egan, head of the University of Notre Dame's Pastoral Institute on Social Ministry (pictured).

Mother Teresa shared her wisdom and gentle words with a full audience in O’Laughlin Auditorium. According to an article that ran in the South Bend Tribune on July 12, 1974 Mother Teresa said, “The poor are the hope and salvation of mankind. Loving the poor is the most important thing in the world. And loving begins right where you are.” (Click to read the South Bend Tribune article.)

At that point, Mother Teresa had been serving the poor for more than 25 years as a Missionary of Charity, a congregation she founded in 1950. The South Bend Tribune reported that she told the audience that July evening, “I am not anxious for the poor, but for the people of the United States that they might miss the chance of sharing compassion with the poor.”

Nearly 42 years later, her words serve as a reminder and call for all people to serve the poor, whether it’s volunteering weekly, donating to food banks, or a simple conversation.

She was a small woman, wrapped in a plain white sari, and her calm, quiet demeanor captivated the audience.  No one was charged admission, but instead a voluntary collection was taken at the end. She closed with a simple message, “I am not asking for your money. I want you to give something of your own. Get to know the poor; find them. Begin in your home and take time to care.”

About Saint Mary's College: Celebrating over 175 years of empowering women to make a difference in the world, Saint Mary’s College is recognized as a pioneer and continued force in the education of women. A Catholic, liberal arts institution in Notre Dame, Indiana, the College offers more than 50 undergraduate academic programs and also offers co-educational master’s degrees.