Celebrating Women

Spring is filled with holidays that celebrate women. For example, March is Women’s History month and in May we celebrate Mother’s Day. When I think of all the influential women throughout our history the one I believe that leads the pack is Mother Teresa.  It takes a very special person to voluntarily walk away from earthly belongings and comforts to live amongst the destitute.  She cared for those who suffered the most.  Those that were malnourished, she fed both body and soul.  Those suffering from diseases, she brought comfort.

According to the National Geographic, before her death on September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa had almost 4,000 sisters working in 610 foundations, in 123 countries across six continents.  She had played a hand in opening several hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDs, leprosy and tuberculosis.  She also headed soup kitchens, children’s counseling programs, orphanages, and educational facilities.  She is known throughout the world for her kindness, generosity and her unmovable love for humankind.

Mother Teresa was most certainly God’s gift to the world.  Pope John Paul II sums it up perfectly “Mother Teresa marked the history of our century with courage.  She served all human beings by promoting their dignity and respect, and made those who had been defeated by life feel the tenderness of God.”

“I see God in every human being.  When I wash the leper’s wounds I feel I am nursing the Lord himself.  Is it not a beautiful experience?” – Mother Teresa