Denver Catholic

11 DENVER CATHOLIC | AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 T he entire world will celebrate Sept. 4, the day of the canon- ization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. But for the over 5,000 mem- bers of the Missionaries of Charity, the daughters of the soon-to-be canonized Teresa of Calcutta, the day will be one of special graces and spiritual renewal. Sister Damascene, the local superior of the small community of the Mission- aries of Charity here in Denver, spoke to the Denver Catholic about own per- sonal memories of Mother Teresa, and what the canonization means to her community. DENVER CATHOLIC: Do you have any personal memories of Mother Teresa? SISTER DAMASCENE: Often Mother spoke to us that we are called to be holy. If you learn to pray, I am not afraid for you. She told us if you don't want to be holy, you better pack up and go. You came happily and I will help you to go home happily. I don't need numbers. Mother was very loving and very fi rm with us. In 1992, I had a little, precious time with Mother. Myself and fi ve other sisters travelled with Mother in a private plane from San Francisco to Vancouver to open a community there. It was a Loreto Convent that had closed down. Mother was very happy because she used to belong to the Loreto convent before beginning the Missionaries of Charity. The Loreto sisters had left all of their household things. She told the priests to take away whatever was not necessary for us, including the micro- wave, deep freezer, washing machine, dryer, etc. Mother wanted us to live a simple life like the poor. The beauty I saw in her was that she was one with us doing all the things. She was not just telling us what to do, but she herself was doing many things. DC: What does her canonization mean to your community? SD: This is a very historic and grace- fi lled time in the life of our society. It is a cause of great joy to the world as well—for both Christian believers and non-believers alike—for the language of love has touched the hearts of all who are hungry for God's love in their lives. For us, as her daughters, it is par- ticularly a time of many graces, and of renewal and a re-discovery of our own Missionaries of Charity vocation, in its beauty and fruitfulness in today's world. It is a great blessing for many of us who lived with her, gave us many examples and guidance in our for- mation. She lived what she preached. Now we have an intercessor in heaven. DC: What is it about Mother Teresa that makes her loved by the whole world? SD: Mother Teresa was a missionary of peace, a missionary of love. Her life was one of simplicity, joy, holiness, single-mindedness and bringing peace to everyone with whom she came into contact. She saw Christ in each person. Mother always began her speeches: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only son." She lived the Gospel by performing the works of mercy. That is what touched the world. DC: How has Mother touched the lives of the women you minister to? SD: Many of the residents who are not practicing the faith, by the time they leave the house they have learned how to pray the rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and they want to pray. Many have changed their lives and they appreciate the time they spent here. They are very grateful to God and to the sisters. Some of them love to come back again and again. DC: Could you tell me a little about the current growth of the order? Is it growing ? How many novices do you have? SD: Our society began in 1950, founded by Mother Teresa of Cal- cutta. It began in India. Now we are in 139 countries, we have 758 houses, 243 are in India, 515 outside of India. We are about 5,200 sisters, and we are 100 nationalities. In May 2016, 37 sisters took their fi rst vows. DC: Any from Denver? SD: From Colorado there are three vocations. Sister Fatima is currently serving in Toluca, Mexico, as an aspi- rant mistress. She is from the Annun- ciation Parish in Denver. Sister Brit- tany is from Colorado Springs (Father Jason Keas' sister). She is a postulant in Mexico City. Sister Catherine is aspirant in Chicago, and she is from Centennial. "Mother was very loving, and very fi rm" Sister Dama- scene, center, poses here with two members of her commu- nity and a framed photo of "Mother" that hangs on their convent wall. PHOTO BY ANDREW WRIGHT BY KARNA SWANSON karna.swanson@archden.org @KarnaSwanson Local Missionary of Charity shares memories of Mother Teresa

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