Ranchi, Aug. 20: Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo today left for New Delhi, en route the Vatican to attend the Mass of Canonisation ceremony being held to confer sainthood on Mother Teresa on September 4.

"Going to the Vatican is always like a pilgrimage. However, this time, my pilgrimage will be for a very special purpose," he told The Telegraph before leaving Archbishop House, his home for the past 31 years, ever since he was installed as Archbishop of Ranchi on August 25,1985.

"I will be attending the September 4 canonisation ceremony of Mother Teresa. The Mother has always been a saint for the poor, the sick, the homeless and the needy. The September 4 ceremonies planned at St Peter's Square at the Vatican would only confirm the faith and love that people have always showered on this saint," he added.

Canonisation is always a big event at the Vatican with world leaders and thousands of pilgrims in attendance. The Cardinal said he had had the privilege of attending a number of such ceremonies, including that of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII in May 2011.

"I am going a bit early to the Vatican, where I have a number of important tasks to complete before the September 4 ceremony," Toppo said and recalled how six years ago, on August 26, 2010, he had launched Mother's birth centenary celebrations when he led an early morning mass at the chapel on the first floor of Mother House in Calcutta, the headquarters of Missionaries of Charity.

"Now after 6 years, it is God's grace that I have been granted the privilege of attending the Mother's sainthood ceremony," he said.

Usually, canonisation ceremonies, presided over by the reigning Pope, are held for around two hours, comprising a mass followed by other rituals. The ceremonies planned for September 4, a Sunday, would also comprise a special Mass that would be presided over by Pope Francis.

"Throughout her life, the Mother had been an example of mercy, with her undying love for the poor. By anointing her a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church, the Mother would be an example for all others to follow in a world, currently plagued by poverty, unemployment, the growing gaps between haves and have nots."

September 5 is the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, who breathed her last in 1997 in Calcutta.

Toppo said he has come to know that an official Indian delegation was also expected to be at the Vatican for the ceremonies. "Since I will be there when the delegation arrives, I am ready to extend all help needed," Toppo stressed.

The cardinal is planning to return to Ranchi on September 8. "There is a special thanksgiving mass at the Vatican on September 6. I shall start from Rome the same day and reach Delhi on September 7. I will reach the next day,"he said.