Relics of Mother Teresa of Calcutta - Washington, DC

Relics of Mother Teresa

http://franciscanmissionservice.org/2015/09/relics-of-mother-teresa-2

By Beth Brown

9/22/15

Our formation process with Franciscan Mission Service includes a half-day of service at one of Washington, DC’s many help centers. I said yes to serving at “A Gift of Hope,” a residence facility for elderly, sick, or disabled men and women who are experiencing homelessness. 

This former mansion and orphanage, originally founded in 1986, is now run by the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

I'm not sure where these relics are located, but here are 2 places you can call.
 
Missionaries of Charity

3310 Wheeler Rd SE, 

Washington, DC 20032

Phone:(202) 562-6890

 

Missionaries of Charity Convent

2800 Otis Street NE

Phone: (202) 269-3313

 

I want to share with you my impressions before starting my first day. I arrived a little early for Mass so I waited outside the chapel door, struck by what I was seeing in the entrance lobby. Lining one side of the hall are large cabinets displaying relics of this woman who labored on behalf of the poor for so many years. 

There are many objects, like a small leather square from her sandals and a piece of the linen habit she wore. Another cabinet preserves a wheelchair used by Mother Teresa when she visited this residence. These are known as second-class relics, items used or touched by a saint.

After Mass, one of the volunteers pointed out a small glass cabinet on the chapel wall. As I approached it, I could see a tiny reliquary bearing a drop of her blood. I have had the privilege of seeing other first-class relics before, usually a piece of bone, but this tiny dot of red moved me. 

I was deeply affected by seeing this actual drop – something that had coursed through her generous heart. Sealed in glass, the drop retained its red hue as if still within her...