Remembering Mother Teresa's happiest day

'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Mother Teresa once described the happiest day of her life - and it included a huge celebration.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - On February third, 1986, Mother Teresa was blessed with a visit from Pope John Paul II.

The Pope arrived in Kolkata (Calcutta), India as part of a tour to spread the Word of God.

When he arrived, Mother Teresa stepped right up to the popemobile and greeted the pontiff. She kissed his ring and in return he kissed the top of her head.

This greeting was repeated again and again as the pair encountered each other from that meeting on.

Following their initial meeting, Mother Teresa took John Paul II to Nirmal Hriday, a home she founded in the 1950s to help the sick and dying.

The Pope helped feed the hungry, embraced the suffering and offered what help he could.

John Paul II was deeply touched by Mother Teresa's selfless life and saw firsthand the dire need for her presence in the slum she called home.

His respect for her was obvious and when he was done helping her with the needy, he stated: "When Jesus Christ was teaching his disciples how they could best show their love for him, he said: 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

"Through Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity, and through the many others who have served here, Jesus has been deeply loved in people whom society often considers 'the least of our brethren.'

"Nirmal Hriday proclaims the profound dignity of every human person. The loving care which is shown here hearts witness to the truth that the worth of a human being is not measured by usefulness or talents, by health or sickness, by age or creed or race.

"Our human dignity comes from God our Creators in whose image we are all made. No amount of privation or suffering can ever remove this dignity, for we are always precious in the eyes of God."

Mother Teresa said that day was "the happiest day of my life." She added: "It is a wonderful thing for the people, for his touch is the touch of Christ."

Though she didn't see it, many, including Pope John Paul II, recognized her humility and compassion.

Many believe the two brought every virtue described in the Bible to a single location and, for a moment, all was divine.

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