Day 26, Sept. 5
This morning three of us priests got up early to attend the Feast D Mass of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The Archbishop of Calcutta was to be the principal concelebrant. We had trouble finding cab at 5:30 in the morning; but eventually found one after walking a third of the way there. When we arid I found there were no way near the number of priests I expected. We numbered nine. But the chapel, which maybe numbers about 150, was filled. All the MC Sisters in Calcutta were there and all the postulants and novices. There were a number of lay people who received cordial welcomes indicating to me they were key supporters of the sisters. The scene was harming, joyful, and holy. In one room the priests vested with many of us coming late. But the Mass started late. There was no clock. As we were processing in I noticed the Portuguese priest entering. I motioned to him to vest. I just then realized how familiar the Motherhouse had come to me.
The archbishop was described to me as a wise man who has done a loot of good. However, he reinvented himself as a kind of guru. He grew a long gray beard and talked philosophically. At the Mass his homily had thee points and lasted over a half hour. His three points were: to bring the Good News to the poor you need to give them food, devotion and holiness. I may have been the only person there to follow him. Sitting toward the congregation of sisters and laity, I could see the sisters fidget around. They were sitting lotus-style on the concrete floor. Some were mercifully asleep.
The one exciting thing or me happened by dumb luck. Although I was among the last concelebrant to enter, I ended up sitting closest to the three main celebrants. As it worked out I was standing closest to the altar. We used Eucharistic Prayer II. After the Consecration I was summoned t pray one of the concelebrant’s prayers. So, I was the one who mentioned Blessed Teresa of Kolkata at the memorial of the saints. I felt embarrassed and proud at the same time.
After the Mass, came the best time. The sisters lined up in the stairway and in the hallways and sang a song to Mother. Perhaps, everyone there had goose bumps. Following that event, the sisters fed the priests breakfast and we all made our way home.
There was to be another Mass that evening; but I was scheduled to be the celebrant at the Saturday evening Mass with the Sunday readings. I was going to fly to Delhi early the next morning and probably would not be able to be at Sunday Mass let alone say one. So, I had to hold off returning for the feasting at the Motherhouse.
By then I was exhausted and had some flu-like symptoms. Although the Mass was for Sunday with its readings, it was in the middle of a novena to Our Lady of Good Health. The priest who came to preach the novena preached on the novena topic. He talked about as long as the archbishop. However, I couldn’t tell you how many points he made. I woke up about three times during the sermon. The final time was just as he was finishing up. That was good luck. People in the congregation did not notice.
I had planned to go to my guide Peter’s house for dinner. I had to renege on him. I was sick as a dog. So, I packed, took a hot bath, and slept.
This morning three of us priests got up early to attend the Feast D Mass of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The Archbishop of Calcutta was to be the principal concelebrant. We had trouble finding cab at 5:30 in the morning; but eventually found one after walking a third of the way there. When we arid I found there were no way near the number of priests I expected. We numbered nine. But the chapel, which maybe numbers about 150, was filled. All the MC Sisters in Calcutta were there and all the postulants and novices. There were a number of lay people who received cordial welcomes indicating to me they were key supporters of the sisters. The scene was harming, joyful, and holy. In one room the priests vested with many of us coming late. But the Mass started late. There was no clock. As we were processing in I noticed the Portuguese priest entering. I motioned to him to vest. I just then realized how familiar the Motherhouse had come to me.
The archbishop was described to me as a wise man who has done a loot of good. However, he reinvented himself as a kind of guru. He grew a long gray beard and talked philosophically. At the Mass his homily had thee points and lasted over a half hour. His three points were: to bring the Good News to the poor you need to give them food, devotion and holiness. I may have been the only person there to follow him. Sitting toward the congregation of sisters and laity, I could see the sisters fidget around. They were sitting lotus-style on the concrete floor. Some were mercifully asleep.
The one exciting thing or me happened by dumb luck. Although I was among the last concelebrant to enter, I ended up sitting closest to the three main celebrants. As it worked out I was standing closest to the altar. We used Eucharistic Prayer II. After the Consecration I was summoned t pray one of the concelebrant’s prayers. So, I was the one who mentioned Blessed Teresa of Kolkata at the memorial of the saints. I felt embarrassed and proud at the same time.
After the Mass, came the best time. The sisters lined up in the stairway and in the hallways and sang a song to Mother. Perhaps, everyone there had goose bumps. Following that event, the sisters fed the priests breakfast and we all made our way home.
There was to be another Mass that evening; but I was scheduled to be the celebrant at the Saturday evening Mass with the Sunday readings. I was going to fly to Delhi early the next morning and probably would not be able to be at Sunday Mass let alone say one. So, I had to hold off returning for the feasting at the Motherhouse.
By then I was exhausted and had some flu-like symptoms. Although the Mass was for Sunday with its readings, it was in the middle of a novena to Our Lady of Good Health. The priest who came to preach the novena preached on the novena topic. He talked about as long as the archbishop. However, I couldn’t tell you how many points he made. I woke up about three times during the sermon. The final time was just as he was finishing up. That was good luck. People in the congregation did not notice.
I had planned to go to my guide Peter’s house for dinner. I had to renege on him. I was sick as a dog. So, I packed, took a hot bath, and slept.
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