Pope John Paul fondly remembered by Missionaries of Charity of Kolkata

Kolkata – The Kolkata–based Missionaries of Charity (MC) nuns, who were deeply affected by the passing away of Pope John Paul II, will fondly remember and pray for the pontiff who was an admirer of Mother Teresa and her congregation.

“We are not only continuing to pray for him but also have already started praying to him," according to the Superior, Sister Nirmala Joshi, who succeeded Mother Teresa as head of the congregation.

The late Pope developed “a spiritual friendship” with Mother Teresa, who launched the congregation in 1950 to work among the “poorest of the poor.” He beatified her in 2003, just six years after her death in 1997.

Nuns around the world prayed for the recovery of the health of the Pope ever since he fell sick, but when they realized “that was not to be, they prayed for all the graces the Holy Father may need to accept God's will,” said the Superior.

The 84–year pontiff’s health deteriorated sharply on April 1, with high fever brought on by a urinary tract infection. He suffered multiple organ failure including a heart attack, and Vatican officials announced the time of his passing away as 9:37 p.m. on April 2 in Rome, early Sunday morning in India.

“We thank God for the gift of our Holy Father. We pray for the repose of his soul, and ask him to pray for us, for he is much more powerful now being in heaven,” Sister Nirmala said.

The MC motherhouse held a requiem Mass for the pope on April 3. Hundreds attended, besides a crowd of journalists and television crews.

Sister Nirmala, who attended the Pope’s funeral in Vatican, said she had met Pope John Paul II many times after Mother Theresa's death and during the late MC founder's beatification process. “They were beautiful memories, each a special memory,” said the nun, who converted from Hinduism as a young adult.

According to the bespectacled nun, the Pope lived on earth "so beautifully and through his suffering entered the house of God, where he is now at peace, full of joy and love.”

“He will continue in heaven what he started here – a life of tremendous love for God and the whole of humanity,” she said.

Brushing aside rumors that the Pope’s death would be a setback to Blessed Teresa's canonization, Sister Nirmala countered, “No, it is God's work. Moreover, with the Pope in heaven, it will be speeded up” pointing out that in Mother Teresa's case, the Pope waived the normal five–year waiting period to begin the canonization process.