Although the Vatican has denied Italian media reports that a date for her canonization next year has been set, Mother Teresa of Calcutta is highly expected to declared a saint soon.
Earlier, Italian media had reported that Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, told Rome’s local officials that the canonization had been set for Sept. 4, 2016.
Archbishop Fisichella’s office is organizing the Holy Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis, which will begin on Dec. 8, 2015.
But Vatican spokesperson Fr. Federico Lombardi said the date was only hypothetical and could not be confirmed.
Founder of the Missionaries of Charity, who worked among the poorest of the poor, Mother Teresa (1910-1997) was beatified in 2003. She visited the Philippines in 1977, 1978 and 1984. Her nuns have a well-known home for the aged and infirm on Tayuman Street in Tondo, Manila.
Although a second miracle is needed for her canonization, some canonizations can be approved even without meeting the requirement. They are called equivalent or equipollent canonizations. Pope Francis has approved at least seven equivalent canonizations: Angela Foligno, Peter Faber, Jose de Anchieta, Marie of the Incarnation, Francois de Laval, Joseph Vaz and Junipero Serra.
Pope John Paul II himself had made an exception in Mother Teresa’s case by allowing her cause for beatification to be opened without waiting the usual five years after a candidate’s death.
Poor Clares in Davao
The Clarisas Capuchinas Sacramentarias, more popularly known as the Poor Clare Capuchin contemplative sisters, is building the Monasterio de Santa Clara in Davao City.
Those who may wish to donate can deposit to the Banco de Oro (BDO) account of the Clarisas Capuchinas Sacramentarias Davao City Inc., account no. 2700088502.
Call Sis. Josie Roxas at 0917-8241064 or e-mail [email protected].
New book from Franciscan
For the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu City on Jan. 24-31, 2016, Fr. Tony Rosales, OFM, former parish priest of Forbes Park, has published his eighth book, “Some Saints of the Eucharist,” with a foreword by Archbishop Jose S. Palma, D.D., of Cebu.
The book will be launched at San Vicente Ferrer Parish, Cebu City, on June 13, during the 6 p.m. Mass.
The book presents a representative group of one Blessed and 11 Saints, as well as reflections on the Eucharist. Net proceeds and donations will go to Franciscan Development Office for the support of Franciscan Seminarians in the Visayas and Mindanao. A certain percentage will also be donated to the congress.
The book may be a suitable and timely gift this Christmas. It will be available in Manila, Samar and Davao City, as well as in some Poor Clare monasteries in the country.
Call 0905-0690638, e-mail [email protected].
