THOMASIANS were urged to emulate Blessed Teresa of Calcutta by appreciating the small things in life, during the unveiling of the bust of the “Saint of the Gutters” at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Garden this afternoon.
With the installation of Mother Teresa’s bust in the University, students “would be reminded of [her] virtues,” Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. said in an interview.
In his message during the unveiling ceremony, Dagohoy called Mother Teresa an “incredible inspiration to humanity,” saying that her strength could be found in little things, and that magnanimity could emanate from everyone.
Blessed Teresa’s bust, which was donated by the Embassy of India to the University, was carved by West Bengal-based Indian sculptor Gautam Pal. A plaque placed in front of the bust narrates her life and ideals and highlighted her famous quote, “Your strength lies in small things.”
According to Amit Dasgupta, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, the bust was given to the University as a reminder of Blessed Teresa’s visits to UST when she came to the Philippines in 1977 and 1984.
Quoting Blessed Teresa, Dasgupta encouraged Thomasians to “learn the things with your heart, because it is only with your heart that you find compassion.”
“It’s very important to be educated, but the university is more than just books and libraries. It’s people that you meet, you interact with. You learn so much from them. You learn how to deal with them, how to talk to them, how to be friends with them. That’s compassion,” Dasgupta told the Varsitarian.
Also present during the ceremony were Jose Brillantes, Department of Foreign Affairs undersecretary, actress Boots Anson-Roa, and other University officials.
In her lifetime, Mother Teresa was known worldwide as the “Living Saint” for her service to the poor. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950.
She died in 1997 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2003.
