The pontiff recalled his own experience with the legendary nun. "I had many occasions to meet with her, and I have the vivid memory of her small figure, bent over by her past years of service among the poorest of the poor, but always full of inexhaustible interior energy: the energy of love of Christ."

The example provided by Mother Teresa, the Pope said, is one that all people should emulate; her witness was "eloquent for everyone, believers and unbelievers alike," in that she was able to transform her love of God into a life of unselfish service to others. Her "contemplation became love and her love became contemplation". (www.cwnews.com)

Her words: "We are not social workers. We may be doing social work in the eyes of some people, but we must be contemplatives in the heart of the world."