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Christianity Today, August (Web-only), 2007 |

Book Uncovers a Lonely, Spiritually Desolate Mother Teresa

"There is no God in me," she wrote.

Shona Crabtree, Religion News Service | posted 8/30/2007 01:42PM

Ten years after her death, a new book of Mother Teresa's personal letters illustrates a profound and private spiritual struggle— much of it unknown to the world that would come to embrace her as ...

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Jeanne

Posted: September 08, 2007 5:27 PM

I am appalled about this whole thing. For these letters to be published in a book, that were supposedly be destroyed, is unethical, sinful, and downright disgusting. Why are there people who are willing to expose another's privacy for " silver coins" and then try to pass it off as some other reason. This woman showed what love for Christ is and for you, John of Sept.4th, should be ashamed of what you wrote. This woman of God taught, whether right or wrong, what she believed to be true. Futhermore, if a husband cheats on his wife and gives his wife aids, then he has no one to blame but himself, but of course, a man like that never takes on responsibility for anything he does wrong. Theresa is one to be respected and admired. By the way, I'm not Catholic. I'm a Baptist .

Trevor

Posted: September 07, 2007 11:30 PM

Doubt her Christian profession..I don't think so. Doubt her concept of God, yes. Not understanding the depth & beauty of the love of God for oneself can only lead to lonliness, emptiness and darkness. Either Jesus was right when he said he would dwell within us, John 14:20, and the unfolding blessings of a union with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit or we all seek and never find a fullnes in this life. Many Christians and non-Christians lack knowing "who" God is and fill their lives with meaningful measures in service, religious acts or in many distructive ways...either results of not knowing the great "love" of God. Thanks for the good works of God that flow through the Teresa's of the world, we are all enriched by their lives..would that they feel & know the God who wants to dance with them.

Anonymous

Posted: September 05, 2007 11:35 AM


Uninspiring. If I feel sad and blue, for Pete's sake please don't tell me about Mother Teresa and her "dark night"! I would just lay down and cry. On second thought, okay I'm sad...and Mother Teresa hasd her "dark night"... hold that thought, it might just be a good start!

Mhanny

Posted: September 05, 2007 5:04 AM


From Dave Gilbert's cooment - How can you be sure that She was close to God???? She was in darkness because I think she realized that salvation is not merely helping the poor. It is more on your relation to God....Grace without faith is dead....

Fric	Posted: September 04, 2007 12:26 PM

Once again, people get the wrong thing from stories like this. Blessed Theresa did not doubt God's existence at all. What is called the "dark night" in the story comes from The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. Very popular spiritual book and likely to be found for free reading on the net. I couldn't fully explain it if I tried, so I just point you in that direction. John of Sept 4 - You obviously do not understand her ministry nor her religion. This is not the place to discuss either, but Bl. Theresa sent no one to their deaths as all have free will. She followed her Church's teaching that interfering with the unitive and procreative aspects of the marital act is sinful. Her ministry was to care for the sick and dying and love them as if they were Jesus, Himself. This is a point that she apparently made in later letters not referenced above. She saw Jesus in everyone. Can all of us say the same thing?

John	Posted: September 04, 2007 11:46 AM

Let's see, if I was sending countless women to their death via aids because I encouraged them not to use condoms, even though I knew that their husbands would likely cheat on them with women with the HIV virus, which they would then transmit to their wives, I'd feel a little lonely too. I for one never thought of this woman as simply or pious. She manipulated those with whom she worked to her own benefit. I find it completely unbelievable than anyone, evangelicals in particular have fallen for her manipulation and deceit. Make her a saint or not, she's got as much blood on her hands as crown in heaven. Hopefully, they will at least balance each other out.

Jerry

Posted: September 04, 2007 3:55 AM

I could only read in wonder how Mother Teresa could have borne the emptiness in her for so long a time and even bringing it unto her death. How she wasn't able to recover from it even for a time shows its deep and stubborn nature. Jesus Christ however told His followers His promise of abundant life "... that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11 and Paul nearing the end of his ministry encouraged Timothy to "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1Ti 6:12. How her inner spiritual life could so contrast the testimony scripture puzzles me and I could not make anything of it other than doubt the genuineness of her christian profession.

Anonymous

Posted: September 04, 2007 12:08 AM

This only makes me wonder - something almost unbearable to think, let alone state. Was Mother Theresa born again? She states she feels god is no within her or with her, yet a born again christian knows that she has been made a new creation. Yes, a born again Christian will have times of sadness, but there is a certain knowledge a hope, God is with me, I am part of Gods family. Why did Mother Theresa not feel this? I admire Mother Theresa for all her hard work. But the Bible says that our Good works are as filthy rags. It is only by being Born Again, that we can see the kingdom of Heaven. This Jesus told Nicodemus. At the end of the day, Mother Theresa will be judged by God and only he knows the complete truth We are not saved by good works. We are born into sin, we are dead in our sin, Jesus has to breathe his life into us, brining us into new life. I feel puzzled why Mother Theresa seemed to evade this knowledge.

Doug Indeap

Posted: September 03, 2007 1:11 AM

Seemingly boundless resourcefulness appears to protect the faith of others from the implications of the loss of faith by a religious luminary such as Teresa. "Teresa's doubts have only enhanced her stature in the eyes of the Church, having been interpreted as a further evidence of God's grace. Ask yourself, when even the doubts of experts are thought to confirm a doctrine, what could possibly disconfirm it?" Sam Harris, On Faith, newsweek.washingtonpost.com

Kip	Posted: September 02, 2007 6:01 PM

This is honest spirituality, however Christians need to stand on the Word and not rely on feelings. Christians need to know that even when they feel great and are "up" or are "down", God is never changing and His promises are true. A Christian has to truly believe, have faith and let go of "feelings" that are so human and believe God, His promises and come to know God through His word, not feelings. This is a hard thing to separate---feelings and belief.

JMM	Posted: September 01, 2007 7:30 PM

For a seminarian who is currently walking through that “dark night” I can relate. It hurts so much. The love expressed toward Him, the songs of praise, the prayers and pleadings all seem to be “speaking into the wind.” At times, I find myself flirting with the atheist or skeptic’s assertion that “faith is all in the mind, a psychological need” (R.C. Sproul’s “If There’s a God, Why are There Atheists” is a great rebuttal) I blame the current drift in Christianity. “Come to Jesus and he will solve all your problems and you’ll be happy, healthy and wealthy.” Popular self-help books such as “The Secret” is also deleterious by advocating a pain-free life. But the voice of truth, the scriptures, tells me a different story. It spoke of David who cried out to God when he felt alone and forsaken. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Words which would later be uttered by the Son of David, Himself who commands me "to take up my cross and follow Him,” as Mother Theresa so beautifully did.

K.R.	Posted: September 01, 2007 9:54 AM

Maybe her feelings were actually that of desiring a deeper and constant connection to Jesus. Once we have truly "tasted" of the Lord's presence, it's only natural to long for it all the more. I believe that some simply find their earthly life a place of suffering because presence in our mortal bodies necessitates absence from Christ. She longed for oneness with her True Love. Nonetheless, her "feelings" of darkness and separation did not keep her from continuing the work she knew God had called her to. She persevered out of love, faithfulness, and obedience. Mother Teresa's faith must have been extraordinarily great to continue her mission to give hope to the hopeless despite her own inner struggles.

Dave Gilbert

Posted: August 31, 2007 3:24 PM


We all live with our shadows -- that part of us that we don't want others to see or know about. It is refreshing and uplifting to know that someone like Mother Theresa could learn and ultimately benefit from recognizing and seeing her shadow. She undoubtedly drew strength from this recognition and it drew her closer to God.

Louise Nolt

Posted: August 31, 2007 2:49 PM


This is honest spirituality. It is rich. It's deep .... However, I am simplisic enough to think, regardless of the fact that "nothing is private in a canonization procedure," that Mother Teresa's wishes to NOT have her deepest soul published for the world should have been respected.

Frank Wingard

Posted: August 31, 2007 2:21 PM


having read the lives of many of the Christians that have had deep spiritual experiences with the Lord this aspect of Mother Teresa's spiritual life is not surprising. Only the lenght of its duration makes it noteworthy. It in no ways detracts from her live of seervice and her clear faith in God.

spiritual warfare

Posted: August 31, 2007 1:09 PM


She may have been a victim of Spiritual Warfare in India. A dark side due to the many religious followings there which have demonic foundations. Even so, we know that Job asked God "Why do you hide your face?"

John	Posted: August 31, 2007 12:20 PM


Everyone has doubts from time to time, we are all only human, including Mother Theresa. And I agree that if one is to become a Saint, one's life is open to review, including some private moments.

Scott

Posted: August 30, 2007 5:37 PM

This shouldn't be surprising at all. The way of faithfulness is the way of suffering. Jesus has provided us a model in his life and death and it would appear that God uses the good works of the saints to silence the foolish (1 Peter 2:11ff.). "Over time, the Rev. Joseph Neuner, a spiritual adviser, helped Teresa realize her feelings of abandonment only increased her understanding of the people she helped, Kolodiejchuk said. Ultimately, she identified her suffering with that of Jesus, which helped her to accept it." That says it all.

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