Did you know that Mother Teresa visited the National Shrine multiple times throughout her life?
The founder of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters, Mother Teresa demonstrated the love of Christ to the outcasts of society through her tireless service and compassion. As we celebrate her feast day on September 5, we invite you to discover where you can find her portrayed in the sacred art of the Basilica – from shimmering mosaics to vivid stained glass!
1. The Crypt Church: Sacristy Window
In the Crypt Church Sacristy of the Basilica, you can find Mother Teresa portrayed in a stained-glass window. With her name above her, she is depicted clad in the white and blue sari of the Missionaries of Charity, holding a cross. Beyond the muted border tones, violet and blue glass brings the portrait into vivid focus, drawing the eye to the center of the piece. Like all the stained-glass windows of both the lower and upper sacristy, this window was made of hand-blown and machine-rolled antique glasses.
2. The Hall of American Saints
In the Hall of American Saints, Mother Teresa is depicted in a Botticino Fiorito marble statue, along with other notable Catholic saints from America, including St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and others. In this heroic-sized portrayal, Mother Teresa’s heart of compassion is reflected by her care for her companions: in one arm she holds an infant, while her other hand rests on the head of a beggar. Out of all the portrayals in the Basilica, this statue has an especially intimate quality; the depth and directness of her gaze is particularly striking. Though Mother Teresa was born in Calcutta, she is included here because she was named an honorary U.S. citizen.
3. The Trinity Dome
In the Trinity Dome, you can find Mother Teresa portrayed along with a procession of North American saints, the Most Holy Trinity, and the Immaculate Conception in vivid mosaic tile. Here, the brilliant blue of her sari stands in contrast to the glittering gold background; she clutches a cross, flanked by St. Junípero Serra and St. Michael the Archangel.
Called the “crowning jewel” of the Basilica, the Trinity Dome was meticulously crafted by Italian artisans over a two-year period. It is comprised of nearly 15 million pieces of colored glass and spans a staggering 18,299 square feet!
4. The Universal Call to Holiness
Another place you can find Mother Teresa portrayed in the Great Upper Church is in the Universal Call to Holiness relief. One of the largest relief sculptures in the world, it offers an awe-inspiring visualization of how the call to holiness extends to all believers in all times and places. Weighing over 37 tons and spanning 780 square feet, the relief portrays people of all ethnicities, ages, rank, and status being drawn to the Holy Spirit. Mother Teresa is one of nearly 50 figures in the relief, which also include the Blessed Mother and Pope John Paul II.
In this portrayal, Mother Teresa’s hopeful gaze remains fixed on the Holy Spirit, who is represented by a dove; she stands besides both named and unnamed saints, reminding us that the call to holiness is truly universal.
Source:
Rohling, Geraldine M., PhD, MAEd. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Guide and Tour Book. Washington, D.C.: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 2018.
