St. Mother Teresa On Stage
St. Thomas More Parish Hosts Theatrical Reading
The nucleus of a talented theatrical company is taking shape at St. Thomas More parish in Centennial, Colorado.
On Saturday, Sept. 6, St. Thomas More parish hosted a staged reading of excerpts of the play, When Malcolm Muggeridge Met Mother Teresa,* by Catholic playwright Charles (Cathal) Gallagher.
The play dramatizes true events in the life of Malcolm Muggeridge, noted 20th century British journalist, and St. Mother Teresa. In 1967, Muggeridge a lifelong searcher who was increasingly drawn to Christianity, interviewed St. Mother Teresa for the BBC.
The result was pivotal for both parties. It raised St. Mother Teresa’s public profile significantly and in 1979 she won the Nobel Peace Prize. For his part, Muggeridge was deeply impressed by St. Mother Teresa’s “faith in action” and it was a major factor in his eventual conversion to the Catholic church in 1982.
The reading featured a dedicated cast, several of whom are seasoned community theatre actors. It was followed by a Q & A session as well as refreshments.
The Benedict XVI Institute, founded by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone and headquartered in San Diego, California, sponsored the event, providing refreshments and promotional support. Monsignor Thomas Fryar, former pastor of St. Thomas More, offered an invocation.
The reading was very well-received by the sizable audience. Afterwards many expressed an interest in attending or participating in more such events in the future. Watch this space for more signs of a revived Catholic presence in the arts.
*Gallagher’s original title is Malcolm and Teresa but we expanded it to make the subject more explicit.
**Special Thanks to: Fr. Randy Dollins and the St. Thomas More team for hosting this event; Maggie Gallagher and the Benedict XVI Institute for support and hospitality.
