Rome, Italy, Sep 2, 2016 / 05:29 am
Twenty-two years ago, Mother Teresa of Calcutta quietly visited the Regina Coeli prison in Rome, and now, just days before her canonization, she has "returned" for another visit, thanks to the help of technology.
The Regina Coeli prison in Rome, located not far from the Vatican, hosted an emotional encounter of detainees and two Missionaries of Charity – members of the congregation that Mother Teresa founded – who were able to bring the soon-to-be saint to life through a documentary film teaching more about her.
The prison currently houses 900 detainees, but in years prior, it had come to hold some 1,200. Father Vittorio Trani, a Conventual Franciscan and prison chaplain for 38 years, knew them all. He explained to CNA that Mother Teresa visited the prison in May 1994.
"She came somewhat incognito. I gave permission so they would let her in (because of the heavy security measures) but I didn't tell anyone about it. She came in and attended Mass with a few detainees. It was very emotional," he related.