The pencil of God

Albania celebrated the birth centenary of Mother Theresa of Calcutta “with a major commitment, aimed at honouring the memory of the daughter which this Country is justly proud of” Fr. Gjergji Meta, spokesman of the Albanian Bishops’ Conference, told SIR commenting on the celebrations held August 26 in the Country, the day of the birth of Mother Theresa. “The Albanian government – said Fr. Meta – dedicated 2010 to Mother Theresa with a series of initiatives including concerts, conferences, and the inauguration of a Museum that bears her name. The religious highlight of the event was the Mass celebrated in the cathedral of Laç Vau-Dejes, in the diocese of Sapë, on August 26, to the presence of the Albanian episcopate, of the bishops of Kosovo and Montenegro. The celebration was presided over by Msgr. Ramiro Molinar Ingles, apostolic nuncio to Albania and special representative of the Pope for this event”. Mother Theresa was born in Albania on August 26 1910 and died in Calcutta on September 5 1997. During her life she served “the poorest among the poor” in the slums of Calcutta, India, and founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity, active across world countries. She was beatified by John Paul II on October 19 2003 in Rome. On the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Blessed Mother Theresa we asked a few questions to Msgr. Lucjan Avgustini, bishop of Sapë.What was the importance of this celebration for Albania? “Albania emerged only recently from the terrible period of Communist dictatorship. Communist rule caused the economic impoverishment of the country and prevented its just development, thus marginalizing Albania from the rest of the world. People were humiliated and stripped of their dignity. Celebrating a woman from this Country, who did so much with her life devoted to poverty, humbleness and simplicity; who compared herself to ‘a pencil in the hands of God’, means acknowledging the strength, greatness and ability of this people to progress and help everyone progress to the light of the truth and goodness which Mother Theresa was a tireless and faithful witness of. She always felt she was the daughter of the Church that she loved, in which she lived and of which she showed the greatness in charity”. What is the message that Mother Theresa can offer to Albania today? “I think that a famous phrase of hers is significant: ‘It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.’ Hers is the same message we find in the Gospel of Jesus, a message of love: incarnated love, lived in its concreteness. Love bestowed without asking for love in return. Gratuitous and overflowing love that begins by kneeling to the poorest and least fortunate ones, the most marginalized, recognizing and loving in them Jesus Christ. A love that is possible only if we open our heart and life to God. Mother Theresa said that in the world there is a great hunger, which is the hunger for God. He only can fulfil our longing for happiness”.Which lesson has this land learnt from the witness of Mother Theresa? “Among the various episodes experienced by Albania, it happened that under the regime Mother Theresa was denied an entry visa to embrace her dying mother. When she was finally allowed to return to Albania she went to pray on the tomb of the dictator. The themes of peace, hope, forgiveness, reconciliation and true love are the lessons we have to learn and which we must put into our lives if we want to erect solid foundations for our own future and for the future of the world, if we want to realize the Kingdom of God that dwells amongst us”.