Saint Teresa items are on display at St. Ambrose

By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger

DAVENPORT — When Tyla Cole learned that Mother Teresa was to be canonized, the Diocese of Davenport archivist felt a display on the new saint would be a good idea. She contacted Onnika Marquez, archivist at St. Ambrose University, to see if they could collaborate together on the project.

“She contacted me around May to see what we could do,” Marquez said.

Two display cases are open for the public to view in the St. Ambrose University library through the end of the month.

Cole gathered items from The Catholic Messenger, Diocese of Davenport archives and the diocese’s social action department. She researched various items and made labels for the display.

Marquez scanned the items for archival purposes. “We did not have any materials on Mother Teresa, but I was able to offer space.”

Some of the items include photographs and articles from The Catholic Messenger covering Mother Teresa’s visit in 1976 to accept the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award. Some other items include two books signed by Mother Teresa and given to then-Father (now Msgr.) Marvin Mottet, the cover of Time magazine in which she is featured, a handwritten note to Bishop Gerald O’Keefe, press releases from the social action department and relics.

The library is open Sunday from noon to midnight, Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to midnight, Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The displays are on the main floor.