Encounter with Mother Theresa at the Nirmal Hriday Ashram

Calcutta (India) - On Monday , 3 February 1986, the Holy Father visited Mother Theresa at the Nirmal Hriday Ashram in Calcutta. In his address to the patients, the Pope assured them of God's boundless love for them, even though he couldn't unravel the mystery of their suffering.

Dear brothers and sisters,

1. I am grateful to God that my first stop in Calcutta was at Nirmal Hriday Ashram, a place that testifies to the primacy of love.

Jesus Christ, while teaching his disciples how they could best demonstrate their love for him, said: “Truly I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did for me” ( Mt 5:40). With the help of Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity and many others who served here, Jesus Christ was deeply loved by those whom society often considers “the least of our brothers.”

Nirmal Hriday is a place of suffering, a center well-acquainted with anguish and pain, a home for the incurable. But, at the same time, Nirmal Hriday is a place of hope, a center built with faith and courage, a home where love reigns, a home filled with love.

At Nirmal Hriday, the mystery of human suffering meets the mystery of faith and love. And in this encounter, the deepest questions of human existence make themselves heard. The suffering body and spirit cry out: “Why? Why die?” And the answer they receive, often dictated by the silence of benevolence and compassion, is rich in honesty and faith: “I cannot give a comprehensive answer to all these questions of yours; I cannot relieve you of all your pain. But of this I am sure: God loves you with an infinite love. You are precious beings to him. I too love you in him. For in God we are truly brothers and sisters.”

2. Nirmal Hriday attests to the profound dignity of every human being. The loving care we see here testifies to the certainty that a human being's worth is not measured by the usefulness of their minds, by their health or infirmity, by their age, creed, or race. Our human dignity comes to us from God, our Creator, in whose image we were created. No deprivation or suffering can ever remove this dignity, for we are always precious in the eyes of the Lord.

The apostle St. John tells us: “Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in deed and in truth” ( 1 John 3:18). May these words be true for each of us. May the courageous love and vivid faith we find here at Nirmal Hriday inspire our actions with the same love.

Almighty and eternal God , Father
of the poor,
comfort of the sick,
hope of the dying,
your love guides
every moment of our lives.
Here at Nirmal Hriday,
in this place of loving care
for the sick and dying,our minds and hearts
to you in prayer

We give you glory
for the gift of human life
and especially for the promise
of eternal life.
We know that you are always
close to the afflicted
and the poor and to all the weak
and those who suffer.

O God of tenderness and compassion,
accept the prayers we offer you
for our sick brothers and sisters.
Increase their faith and trust in you.
Comfort them with your loving presence
, and, if it be your will,
restore their health,
granting them renewed strength
of body and soul.

O loving Father,
bless those who are dying,
bless all who will soon
meet you face to face.
We believe that you have made death
the gateway to eternal life. Keep our dying brothers and sisters
in your name , and bring them safely home to eternal life with you.

O God, source of all strength,
guard and protect those
who care for the sick
and assist the dying.
Grant them a courageous and gentle spirit.
Support them in their efforts to provide comfort and relief.
Make them an even more radiant sign
of your transfiguring love.

O Lord of life
and foundation of our hope,
pour out your abundant blessings
on all who live
, work, and die on Nirmal Hriday.
Fill them with your peace and grace.
Show them that you are a loving Father,
a God of mercy and compassion.
Amen.

© Copyright 1986 - Vatican Publishing House

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