Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Ocean Grove beach August 26, 2014. By T. Stein of OG. ©

Every once in a while, Ocean Grovers have noticed nuns on the beach or the Fishing Pier. They wear white saris with blue stripes. I spotted them about a week ago walking through the parking lot of the JS Arts Center. Then T. Stein saw them on the beach on August 26.

She recognized that they are from Mother Teresa’s order, The Missionaries of Charity, a world-wide organization based in India. Coincidentally, August 26 is Mother Teresa’s birthday. She was born in Macedonia, was a citizen of India, and a Roman Catholic nun. She also won the Nobel Peace Prize. Mother Teresa died in 1997 at the age of 87. She was known for her work with the poorest of the poor and sickest of the sick. She ran homes for patients with leprosy as well as hospice-like institutions for the dying, diseased and homeless.

J.P. Gradone, COO of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association told Blogfinger that a representative of the Sisters contacted the CMA for permission for their nuns to visit the town and beaches of Ocean Grove. We don’t know why they chose OG, but we do know that they were attending a retreat somewhere in this area. In any case, they were welcomed to our town by the CMA.

AARON COPLAND: “Simple Gifts” from his work Apalachian Springs