(26 Jan 1998) Spanish/Nat
Sister Nirmala, the successor to Mother Teresa, has promised to carry on the work of her famous predecessor in Argentina.
She was speaking at the start of her six-day visit to the country where she will visit homes for the poor, the old and AIDS victims.
Mother Teresa's successor started the first day of her visit to Argentina in a traditional way on Sunday.
Sister Nirmala was born in Nepal in 1934 to a high-caste Nepalese Brahman Hindu family.
In Hindu, her name means "pure."
But she converted to Catholicism at the age of 24 after seeing a university friend praying.
Sister Nirmala joined the order set up by Mother Teresa and helped to set up the its first branch outside India during the 1970s.
She was appointed as the new head of the Missionaries of Charity last year after the death of Mother Teresa.
Sister Nirmala has visited over 120 countries and is now the spiritual guide for five thousand nuns who have helped over four (m) million people.
The order's links with Argentina are strong --- Mother Teresa visited the country twice in 1979 and 1982.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I was very much looking forward to coming here -- but more than that I was a bit nervous. Now I don't know why. There is so much love for the sisters and all of you."
SUPER CAPTION: Sister Nirmala, head of Missionaries of Charity order
In keeping with Mother Teresa's principles, Sister Nirmala pledged that the order will continue its work with society's disadvantaged.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We are going to carry on with the work we have started in this country. For the children, for the old, for AIDS patients. We will be continuing our holy work."
SUPER CAPTION: Sister Nirmala, head of Missionaries of Charity order
Sister Nirmala -- whose visit is due to end Friday -- is then due to travel to Paraguay.
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