Relics of Mother Teresa Draw Hundreds to St. Pius X Catholic Church

Hundreds of people came to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Fairfield Tuesday afternoon, and the line, which stretched all the way into the church's parking lot, was to view and venerate relics of Mother Teresa.

Mother Teresa, who died in September 1997 after founding the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India in 1950, which, at the time of her death, operated 610 missions in 123 countries, was revered for ministering to the poor, sick, orphaned and dying for nearly a half-century.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, as she was beatified by then-Pope John Paul II, had five items on display at the Brookside Avenue church. These items included drops of her blood and locks of her hair, which are considered to be first-class relics by the church. Also on display were second-class relics, which included her rosary, crucifix and sandals.

"These three items [rosary, crucifix, sandals] were most of her worldly possessions in her lifetime," said Damien O'Connor, director of the Offices for Pastoral Services in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport.

St. Pius was able to obtain Mother Teresa's relics after short notice. The Missionaries of Charity, a worldwide organization founded by Mother Teresa, contacted its Connecticut chapter about displaying the items. Needing a church to display them quickly, St. Pius was more than happy to oblige the organization.

"It is a very rare opportunity, an honor, and if it brings people back to their faith, it is a great thing," said O'Connor.

The clergy at St. Pius felt equally as privileged to have the items in their parish.

"I have a great devotion to Mother Teresa. . . her life is a powerful model for us all," said Fr. Sam Kachuba.