[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 137 (Wednesday, October 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE BEATIFICATION OF MOTHER TERESA

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                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 2003

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I believe that if God finds a person more 
useless than me, He will do even greater things through her because 
this work is His--Mother Teresa.
  Pope John Paul II will beatify Mother Teresa of Calcutta on October 
19, 2003. The ceremony will take place in Rome after the shortest 
beatification process in modern history, a testament to the remarkable 
life and spirit of Mother Teresa.
  Born in Macedonia, Mother Teresa became a Roman Catholic nun in 1928, 
which brought her to India where she taught school while living in a 
convent in Calcutta. Surrounded by human suffering of staggering 
proportions, Mother Teresa was moved to extend her commitment beyond 
the classroom and convent and began her lifelong ministrations to the 
destitute, sick and dying. She selflessly dedicated her life to 
alleviating the pain and suffering of the poorest of the poor. 
Embracing the destitute in the spirit of love and sacrifice, she came 
to be known as the ``Saint of the Gutters.'' Her good works inspired 
people throughout the world and from all walks of life to join her in 
caring for the poor and suffering, and inspired many young women to 
follow her in establishing a religious order, The Missionaries of 
Charity. Prior to Mother Teresa's death in 1997, The Missionaries of 
Charity had grown remarkably to 517 missions in more than 100 countries 
with 5,000 sisters in her order. The Missionaries of Charity have also 
produced the Fruit of Contemplative Brothers and Fathers: the lay 
missionaries and coworkers of Mother Teresa.
  Mother Teresa saw the spirit of God in each human being, which led to 
her tireless efforts around the world, as her fame grew, on behalf of 
all human life. ``Among the works that flowed from Mother Teresa's 
heart, one of the most important is the adoption movement'' (the words 
of Pope John Paul II). She not only administered to the dying, she 
saved thousands of young lives. Later in her life, the spirit of human 
life moved her to minister to those afflicted with HIV/AIDS.
  Though Roman Catholic, Mother Teresa's work embraced all persons 
regardless of religion, race or nationality. In turn, her work achieved 
international acceptance and appreciation, transcending religious and 
political boundaries. At her death, in recognition of her life's work 
serving its poor, its sick, and its dying, predominantly Hindu India 
accorded her state honors. Mother Teresa was an honorary American 
citizen, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and the Medal of 
Freedom in 1985. But above all, Mother Teresa was a loving, pious 
servant to the poor throughout the world.
  Mother Teresa's life's work of relieving the suffering of the poor is 
carried on today by The Missionaries of Charity and by her example of a 
worldly life illuminated by divine grace. Her greatest contribution, 
however, may be her spiritual enrichment of us all.

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