Mother Teresa was declared as a patron saint of the Archdiocese of Calcutta at a Mass in the Vatican city on Wednesday.

Exactly sixteen months earlier, Pope Francis had declared Mother Teresa as a saint. Vicar General Dominique Gomes read the decree announcing her as the second patron saint of the archdiocese. About five hundred people attended this Mass at the Cathedral. Her name will be mentioned whenever a Mass is held or the archdiocese prays. Giambattista Diquattro is an Italian archbishop and the Vatican’s ambassador to India. He led the Mass and also inaugurated a bronze statue of Mother Teresa carrying a child in the church.

St. Francis Xavier was declared as the first patron saint of Calcutta in 1986. Even though the city’s official name has been changed by the government, the archdiocese still retains its old name ‘Calcutta’. Archbishop of Calcutta, Thomas D'Souza said that every diocese has its own patron saint and since Mother Teresa is from the city, she was declared as their patron.

The Catholics of Calcutta were very happy with the Vatican’s decision. Mother Teresa deserves all the honour for her selfless service towards the poor and the underprivileged in the society.