When God's messenger visited Baghdad

The Baghdad orphanage recently

On 12 June 1991, a UN-charted aeroplane landed at Habbanyia air base (55 miles west of Baghdad), it was the first traveller by air to Iraq after the first Gulf war. On board, was Mother Teresa who had permission to fly to Iraq due to her old age and the nature of her humanitarian mission. Many Iraqis rushed to the usual hotels to find out where she was staying but they were met with the same reply: despite reserving their best suite for her, Mother Teresa wished to stay at the convent in al- Za'afarania district of Baghdad. She said: "I am not an official visitor, I am just a simple nun and I wish to stay at the convent."

During this time, as a result of allied bombing during the war, a near apocalyptic destruction fell upon the Iraqi civilian infrastructures and institutions. Additionally, the United Nations imposed economic sanctions on Iraq that were regarded as the toughest and most comprehensive sanctions in history. The gracious nun felt the pain and the unmerited ordeals of the innocent Iraqi people both Christians and Moslems.

The convent, where she stayed, was abuzz with government officials, dignitaries, religious men and women. The media descended upon her, she greeted them warmly and said: "I do not wish to do any interviews; I wish to be seen by my deeds and not by my words."

The excited people swarmed around Mother Teresa, clasping her with tearful eyes and ardently kissing her hand. She would embrace them like a loving mother, offering them words of inspiration. She encouraged them to pray and love the Virgin, by handing them rosaries and small statutes of the virgin. During her many meetings and gatherings, Mother Teresa would excuse herself and would say: "permit me it is time of my prayers."

After a few days, she started looking for her orphanage house, which lasted for some time and she met with many officials, accompanied by a nun and a doctor from the ministry of health. Eventually, Mother Teresa found an old house, and her orphanage was established under the name of Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa in Baghdad. She immediately began the work of cleaning the place, she went down on her knees and began scrubbing the floors, she swept and swabbed the house and as soon as it was clean, she invited people for Eucharist Adoration.

The Adoration was a moving sight to see, it was attended by women, who bore the scarce of war, who had lost their husbands, sons and fathers during the war. Mother Teresa was always present, kneeling with a rosary in her hands and praying in silence. Sister Raphael, the director of the Missionaries of Charity House in Bangalore, India who accompanied her recalled: "During her stay in Iraq, just as she did during her entire life, the blessed would always be available to the Iraqi people, even in the middle of the night; she would get up and comfort them with her welcoming embrace. It is almost as if mother never went to sleep and yet, there was never any hint of tiredness on her face, she was always calm and resolute, an inexhaustible source of love."

Editor's Note: the orphanage survived the 2003 'Shock and Awe' US-led bombardment of Baghdad. The Sisters refused to leave the children through the war, and are working there today.