A friend of mine and I often argued about the good works for charity the late Diana, Princess of Wales, used to do. This friend of mine often sarcastically used to say that Diana’s extravagant work for charitable institutes and communities was done because she was astute enough to know that the media followed her with a passion, that she was smitten by the paparazzi that followed her in every corner, every street, every place Lady Di set foot on.

My response was always the same. Partial to flattering propaganda or not, Lady Di had a flair for making people happy just by her presence. When Mother Teresa and Lady Diana Spencer met, they had a lot to talk about.

What inspired Lady Diana to continue doing infinite constructive work for the sick and ailing was something Mother Theresa recounted to her. In 1989 there was a massive earthquake in Armenia where many men, women and children were killed. Many were injured and left with no roof over their heads. When the saintly Mother Teresa heard of the disaster, together with a group of other nuns she went to help in any way she could. Very moving was the scene between Mother Teresa and a woman who lay under massive rubble and ruin for days, together with an 18-day-old baby. It was by a miracle that this woman was found alive.

She was found blue in the face with little blood in her body. The reason why she was bloodless? The woman, knowing she had no means to feed her child, cut her fingers one by one to actually feed “blood” to her baby. Mother Teresa was flabbergasted at this piece of news, admiring the woman who acted with perfect heroism.

After Mother Teresa kissed this woman, with all the curiosity in the world she asked the mother how this idea came into her mind. The frail mother looked at the cross hanging down Mother Teresa’s neck and told her “God taught me to give my blood to others”.

Nothing and no one impressed Diana more than Mother Teresa. Subjected to a loveless marriage, Diana found solace in comforting others. She may not have dressed like Mother Teresa for she had a penchant for fine and rich clothes but her good deeds obtained good results.

She raised a lot of money for charity and many a cancer-stricken child became radiant at the touch of her hand. No wonder she will never be forgotten, especially in August, the anniversary of her death.

Valerie Borg

Valletta