'Hugging saint' Amma greets followers in Elburn
Mata Amritanandamayi, known throughout the world as Amma, is a renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader from India who was at the M.A. Center in Elburn Friday to greet her followers.
According to amma.org she is known for her selfless love and compassion toward all beings. Her entire life has been dedicated to alleviating the pain of the poor, and those suffering physically and emotionally. She is known by her followers as the "hugging saint."
Amma has embraced and comforted more than 34 million people, and works through her charities, most notably Embracing the World.
Amma, a humanitarian and spiritual leader from India who blesses people with hugs, reaches out between hugs to followers during her program Friday at the M.A. Center in Elburn. She has been coming to Chicago since 1987 and this is her third visit to the M.A. Center. The last three days she's held four free programs in the Chicago area.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com