It gave me great joy to hear the Vatican’s announcement that Mother Teresa will be canonized on Sept. 4. See our stories on pages one and six in this issue, as well as page B2 column.

In these days of shifting ground on sexuality, marriage and the family — in which society wants to basically redefine what it means to be the persons God created us to be — Mother Teresa stands as a glowing example of a bride of Christ and a voice of clarity. She also embodies Matthew 25:40: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

Mother Teresa radiated Christ and his unquenchable mercy wherever she went, whether delivering the 1982 commencement address at Harvard University, a 1985 address to the United Nations General Assembly or caring for the thousands of “untouchables” in the slums of India.

As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday and the Year of Mercy in the Church, it is providential and fitting that Mother Teresa, a true disciple of mercy, will join the communion of saints.

Blessed Teresa of Kolkata has had a great effect on me personally, as well as on millions of Catholics and non-Catholics around the world. Her life of service to the poorest of the poor, the “people on the peripheries of society,” as Pope Francis likes to say, stands as a model for us all.

God bless you!