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Missionary of Charity shares his message
September 22, 2006
A member of the Missionaries of Charity Fathers recently visited Ave Maria University on Sept. 13, 2006, to give a lecture on the message of the his order's founder, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Fr. Darren Dentino, M.C., brother of AMU Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs Daniel Dentino, was ordained a priest in 2004. He is currently serving in Nairobi, Kenya, where he and his brothers continue the works of Mother Teresa.
During his talk, Dentino spoke about Mother Teresa's first encounter with a man on the streets of Calcutta and of his resistance to her love. Dentino described how Mother Teresa's simplicity and complete love broke down the poor man's barrier and led him closer to God.
"Mother Teresa was empty, but yet she had a profound personality," Dentino said. "She was able to communicate the love that she was given to all those she encountered."
The priestly branch of the Missionaries of Charity is fairly new and small. Founded in 1984 by Mother Teresa and Fr. Joseph Langford, there are currently 33 priests in the order serving around the world. One of the most important parts of the order's ministry is how they immerse themselves in the culture of those they serve in order to identify with them, Dentino believes.
"We learn Swahili, we eat what they eat and drink what they drink," he explained. "What isn't sinful, we take part in so that we are able to come close to them and have more affinity with them. We are able to show them God's love in action."
- Clare Maagad