Pope Benedict XVI Met His ‘Spiritual Godmother’ In Santiago De Cuba
By CNA
Upon initiating his day on Tuesday with a private Mass in Santiago de Cuba, Pope Benedict XVI personally met a religious from India who has been his “spiritual Godmother” for 20 years.
The Holy Father celebrated the private Mass before departing for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity of Cobre. At the Mass, there participated 10 religious from the contemplative branch of the Missionaries of Charity, which was founded by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.
Upon concluding the Eucharistic celebration, the Archbishop of Cuba, Dionisio García, presented the woman religious, Teresa Kereketa, from India to the Holy Father. Following the practice of her order, 20 years before, she had received the task of praying daily for a specific priest, thus becoming his “spiritual Godmother.” The priest whom she received under this task was Cardinal Josef Ratzinger.
During the emotional encounter, and following Indian tradition, the woman religious presented a crown of flowers to the Holy Father. “The Pope was quite moved meeting her,” explained the Holy See’s spokesman, Fr. Federeico Lombardi, during a press conference.
