Rector Major Visits Tomb of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

KOLKATA: (SAR News) 25th february 2005 -- “Your congregation is the sign of the renewal of consecrated life in the church,” said the Rector Major of the Salesians in his meeting with Sr Nirmala Joshi, Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity at their Mother House on 54A AJC Bose Road.

Fr. Pascual Chavez, the ninth successor of Don Bosco started his official visit of India and Kolkata province by making a morning stop at the Tomb of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and expressed his “deep appreciation for all the works undertaken for the poorest of the poor.”

Sr. Nirmala along with her Councillors welcomed the Rector Major with a garland at the very same corridor where Mother Teresa met visitors. She thanked him “for all the work of collaboration the Salesians of Kolkata province do for the Missionaries of Charity.

Fr. Chavez had a special mention for Fr. Stroscio Rozario who was to be expelled from India some 24 years ago and was kept back at the insistence of Mother Teresa who told the Government of India “I need Fr. Stroscio for my work.” The 83-year-old Italian priest continues to be chaplain for the MC Sisters, based in Auxilium Parish Kolkata.

Fr. Chavez gave Sr Nirmala a special silver medal of Don Bosco while Sr. Nirmala gave 'Mother Teresa' Medals, and holy picture with a relic. Some 50 novices in white sari sang “Rejoice in the Lord Always” standing in the courtyard below. The Rector Major blessed them and spent moments in the chapel close to the statue of Mother Teresa seated in prayer. The prayer intention outside the Chapel read: “Prayers for Superior general of the Salesians.” He spent special moments of prayer touching both hands to Mother’s Tomb.

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