Mother Teresa, the saint, was here
By Rex Catubig
UNKNOWN to many, we, Dagupenos, are blessed with a date with history and sainthood as we hosted a saint in our midst in 1986. As founder of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to the poor and destitute, Mother Teresa came to Dagupan to visit the place that would serve as shelter for the Missionary sisters.
Rose Mary Teng Mejia, who was lucky to be right there up close prior and during the unheralded event, wrote of that memorable meeting with Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Additional information was supplied by Papal Awardee and Mother Teresa devotee, Aurora Samson-Reyna. Mother Teresa was canonized on September 4, 2016.
“I met Mother Teresa in Tayuman, in the company of Mrs. Lina M. Tan. I was in my late twenties. The purpose of our visit was to observe the works of the Missionary Sisters of Charity in the hope of having them open a house in Dagupan. When I saw her, I was surprised, as she was so tiny, and unassuming. But she held such a great power of attraction that I did not understand then.
She was so small, soft spoken, but when she spoke, one was compelled to listen, drawn as if she were a magnet. There was something about her that was not usual or common. Well, she looked common, but somehow, you knew she was not. It was love at first sight, and there was this presence that changed you from within. I could not help but feel the certitude of holiness in her presence.
When some of the sisters came to visit their proposed House in Dagupan, I was blessed to be their designated driver in the city. After their chores, we and some members of the Circle for Christ, went to the family beach house of Ms. Annabelle Balingit, where they took a dip on the beach– completely dressed in their habits!
It was so unforgettable, seeing the sisters having fun like ordinary mortals! We had such a good time that they started to ask if I was interested in joining them and being a missionary sister myself!
When the sisters’ shelter was finally ready, at the Villaflor’s lot in front of the St. Therese Church, Mother Teresa came personally to Dagupan to open and look at the place. (She was fetched by Aurora Samson Reyna and Inday de Venecia from the Missionary House in Tayuman).
That was the second time I met her. There was no fanfare, it was a simple and quiet gathering attended by some pious parishioners, (among whom were the Samson-Reynas, the Rosarios, Josie Lolarga, Inday de Venecia, Baby Balingit, and the Villaflors).
My mother kept pictures of the occasion, on December 23 and 24, 1986, and remembers listening with rapt attention to her message during the “Simbang Gabi” at the St Therese Church.
(She stayed overnight and slept at the newly opened Missionary House on Rizal St. Next day, she was brought back to Manila by Au Samson-Reyna and Inday de Venecia).
In a few days, Mother Teresa will be named a Saint! It is surreal just thinking about it! I am indeed so blessed to have met her, to have touched her and hear her speak! It is also a blessing to be reminded once again, that “when we come face to face with GOD, we will be judged not on how much or what we have done, but by how much LOVE we put into doing!”
May we continue to follow in her footsteps, no matter how many times we fail!
Today we have the Missionary Sisters of Charity house in Lucao that continues to serve the poor, the abandoned and the elderly.”
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
