City church bells ring out to honour Saint Teresa

MUMBAI: As Mother Teresa attained sainthood after her canonisation in Rome on Sunday, several churches in Mumbai, celebrated the event in their own special way.

MUMBAI: As Mother Teresa attained sainthood after her canonisation in Rome on Sunday, several churches in Mumbai, celebrated the event in their own special way.

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Father Cletus Gnomes from the Parish of St. Francis Assisi Church in Bandra said churches across the city rang bells and organised special prayer services in the name of Mother Teresa with beginning of the canonisation in Rome at 2pm. “This is a time of joy and merits celebrations in the Christian community as our blessed Mother attained sainthood,” said Father Gnomes.

Our Lady of Mercy Church in Thane, streamed the ceremony live for the parishioners.

“We watched a 20-minute film on how Mother Teresa started her missionary in Kolkata. Children attended the mass, wearing white sarees with blue borders, and sang hymns,” said Melwyn Fernandes, a parishioner.

The Blessed Mother Teresa Church in Virar was rechristened Saint Mother Teresa Church on Sunday evening. A special mass was organised by the Archbishop of Vasai Diocese in Palghar district, around 60 km north of Mumbai, in the presence of more than 5,000 Christians from the Diocese, Mumbai, Kolkata and other parts of the country.

St. Joseph’s Church in Juhu, released about 50 white and blue helium balloons to celebrate the canonisation. “The parish priest got a sudden idea to release the balloons so we went and bought them in the morning. We also served food to around 85 families around Juhu bus station and also blankets and towels” said Baldwin Pereira, a parishioner.

While most churches celebrated the event, there were some that couldn’t take part in the celebrations as the date clashed with Novena – a nine-day period of worship. “People are busy attending masses. But, they were glued to the TV watching the ceremony,” said Father Gnomes.

(With agency inputs)