Pilgrimage to India sheds light on shared faith

Since the arrival of priests from India in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, I have been inspired by their deep faith and it had been my desire to visit their country. I had the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to India in October.

Our small group traveled in a compact van around the country. This means of transportation allowed us to see places not commonly visited by tourists. We began out pilgrimage in the southeast of India at Chennai.

The first place we visited was the Mountain of St. Thomas, named for one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ who went to India in A.D. 52 to profess the faith. Thomas died a martyr in A.D. 72 and is buried at Mylapore, Chennai.

The Basilica of St. Thomas is built over the apostle’s tomb. However, the finger of the “doubtful” Thomas that is not corrupted is in The Mountain of St. Thomas where we attended our first Mass in India. The people from India prostrate themselves in prayer by the altar, always removing the shoes before entering any church or temple.

Driving throughout the country we observed the people and traditions before arriving at Tanjore, a little town placed among the lush rice fields of the Couvery delta, which is why it is called “The Rice Bowl of India.” This is where some of the recipients of the Catholic Relief Services collection live. The donated funds come from throughout the United States in the small boxes distributed during Lent.

The Patroness of India Our Lady of Velankanni has a beautiful Basilica where we were privileged to attend Mass. From there, we headed north flying to Delhi, the largest city, attended Mass at the Sacred Heart church.

The next day we drove five hours to Agra to see the famous and impressive Taj Mahal. The country was having a three-day national celebration called Diwali, fire lights, decorations, music, parades filled the crowded streets and the trip would not have been complete without a ride on an elephant which three of us did participated in the fun.

Finally, we flew from Delhi to Calcutta (Kolkata), our final destination for our visit Mother Teresa’s house. We knocked on the door and a sister invited us in quietly as the sisters were praying the Rosary. We immediately joined them. I got on my knees and as I began praying, while touching the grave of Mother Teresa, and I felt immense joy and was overcome by inexplicable emotion, recalling my presence during her Beatification in Vatican City on Oct. 19, 2003.

An African priest celebrated the Mass while the sisters were kneeling or seating on the floor with reverence. During the short homily, the priest reflected on the life and untiring work of Mother Teresa.

I felt humble as I followed the sisters for communion feeling blessed to feel Mother Teresa’s presence. Next to her tomb, there is a large crucifix and a sign that reads “I THIRST”; a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, her Patroness; and a suggested box for prayer petitions by the Missionaries with a sister accepting voluntary donations. Visitors receive a booklet on the life of Mother Teresa.

Mother Teresa’s simple bedroom is upstairs and is open for visitors. Also a museum with pictures of different stages of her life including one of the favorites where she is pictured with Blessed Pope John Paul II and one when she received the Nobel Peace Prize. Her white and blue sari, brown sandals, her dishes with a #1 and a cross in red are displayed.

We heard that she had only two saris, one to wear and the other one to be washed, which she wore with a cross-pinned to her left shoulder, just like all the sisters of the order that she founded.

People visiting her place would offer to help to do her work in India and she would tell them “go home and find your own Calcutta.” In Corpus Christi, we have the Mother Teresa Shelter to help the homeless.

Our priests from India are truly appreciated; they come from very far with different cultures and traditions but they profess our same Catholic faith and come to serve us.