I Loved Jesus in the Night: Teresa of Calcutta―A Secret Revealed

by Paul Murray

I Loved Jesus in the Night  is one priest's compelling account of meeting with the Saint of Calcutta. Sharing anecdotes and first-hand experiences, Paul Murray offers a glimpse into why Mother Teresa could declare, in one of her letters, that if ever she were to "become a saint," she would surely be one of “darkness.”

This very personal yet powerful book is an attempt to come to terms with the dark night experiences endured by Mother Teresa in the light of the Gospel and the mystical teachings of St. John of the Cross. And something else as well—revelations of Mother Teresa's sense of humor!

“This book is easy to read and gives insights into the spiritual life and relationship with Jesus that drove this carrier of God's love to serve the poorest of the poor.” — Catholic Missourian

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Catholic, Biography, Spirituality, Christian, Faith

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Paul Brendan Murray, O.P. (born 26 November 1947) is an Irish Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, poet, writer, and professor.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Kyle Inman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little read with pretty good contents, though I couldn’t shake the occasional feeling that this was more about Father Paul than Mother Teresa. 😬 But hey, if I knew one of the most beloved saints of the modern era this well, I’d probably write something about her too.

[Mariangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short book about Mother Teresa's dark night of the soul. It's a nice uplifting reading for an afternoon.

[Mary Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some quotes that stuck out to me:

"My great desire is to meet anybody who has nobody."

"The poor don't need our compassion, Father Paul, they need our help. We need their compassion."

"And when times come when we can't pray, it is very simple: if Jesus is in my heart let him pray, let me allow Him to pray in me, to talk to his father in the silence of my heart. since I cannot speak--He will speak; since I cannot pray--he will pray."

--Putting her two hands over my hands, as if to join them in prayer, she said, 'Please pray for me, Father Paul. I need your prayers much more than you need mine.' Then she opened her hands, and opened her arms wide and, to my great astonishment, exclaimed: 'I am so exposed to the whole world!" As she did this, and as she spoke, I remember noticing that both her outstretched hands and arms were trembling.--

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book twice I can say with complete honesty that this book has done more for my spiritual life than any other resource. A beautiful, short, easy read that should be read by everyone. If you experience a lot of spiritual dryness or desolation this is a specifically touching book. Even having read so much on Mother Teresa, the way Fr. Paul writes about her is so personal and genuine you can't help but love her, empathize with her, want to be like her, and be amazed at her strength. Such a beautiful window into her interior life but also into her passion for helping the poor and bringing Jesus to them. I will probably re-read it a hundred more times in my life.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but beautifully written and very moving book about the periods of darkness Mother Teresa experienced for years during her life. It was written by an Irish priest who knew her. I found it to be another level of experiencing Mother Teresa’s path to sainthood as you heard more about her relationship with God and how she saw Him in the poorest of the poor and spent her life in service to them. Just a beautiful book that I will most likely read again.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into the dark moments Mother Teresa faced throughout her ministry. I found it interesting that even someone like her, faced spiritual struggles. It gives hope to those who wrestle with their faith. Many have "dark nights," but when the focus is on Jesus, they can overcome.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a small but really profound book about Mother Teresa's struggles with the dark night in her spiritual path.

[Allisyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was one of my rare forays into the realm of non-fiction. It was an interesting look into the spiritual struggles of the well-known religious figure, Mother Teresa. I found the description of her feelings of being abandoned by God and how she dealt with those feelings to be really inspiring. The excerpts from letters written by Mother Teresa herself were really interesting to read and gave a better picture of who she was as a complete person. It was certainly inspiring to read about how Mother Teresa dealt with her own Dark Night of the Soul and what form that took for her.

Unfortunately, I found the writing style of the author to be one that didn’t mesh well with my reading style. One of the biggest issues I had with the book was that it wasn’t until halfway through that Murray established that his intimate knowledge of Mother Teresa’s struggles came from his time as the Father Confessor at the convent. I had a hard time getting through the book but overall I don’t regret the time that I spent reading it.

[Amanda Rogozinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tender read! This volume is very small but it really makes Mother Teresa come alive as someone to learn from while also relating to. I felt like I met her in person after reading this book. I was brought to tears several times over her abandoned love for Jesus, and the hope that she found in her ten-year-long trial of darkness. This book made me love Jesus more and trust that even in the feeling of God's abandonment He is near.

*READ THE FULL REVIEW AT TheWillowNook.com*

*Review copy courtesy of Paraclete Press*

[Ronda Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I have the words to explain why this book touched me so much, but wow- it really hit me. Mother Theresa was amazing...

[Isaiah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is fantastic! I've loved Mother Teresa almost as long as I've had a memory, and this book shows the depth and simplicity of her spiritual life. What the reader may find interesting is the combination of humility and humor that Mother displayed daily while at the same time experience the 'Dark Night of the Soul.' A must-read for anyone who wants to know the heart of this great saint of our times.

[Gary Emig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional life. Very much worth reading. A life we should all try to emulate.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really needed this book. It is easy to read with short chapters... yet it is a very thought provoking look at such a beautifully simple, profound life.

Written by a priest who knows her well, this glimpse into Mother Theresa's Dark Night of the Soul will give hope and encouragement to those who need it.

[Julie Ernst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very inspiring as well as encouraging. I've always admired Mother Teresa for her great compassion and wise words, but in this book, one can also see how she felt so anguished at times, and yet persevered in her deep longing and love for Jesus and was able to still carry out her mission every day.

[Melissa Lege kvasager · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Mother Teresa is humanized by her own writings. Knowing of her positive impact on the world and how many wonderful works she has done, although inspired by her, it is sometimes difficult to relate. This book allows you to make a connection with her that starts at the most basic human need, wanting to be loved. Then you realize you are in the same boat.

[Marlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not the book I was expecting and I was rather disappointed in it. An amazing woman whom I have always held in the highest regard and all they could talk about was how she felt God had abandoned her. If that had truly been the case; she most likely would not have been as driven and loving as she was. A great disappointment.

[Melissa Reise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Mother Teresa's journey was a remarkable one. I felt so close to her the whole time I was reading this book. I realized that it's okay to doubt God and even saints have their doubts at one time or another in their lives. I loved this book!

[Ryan Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, simple book about Mother Teresa's "dark night of the soul." It doesn't try to answer all questions and sometimes seems too simplistic, but the text both offers testimony about a faithful and generous pilgrim and reassures all of us that faith can shine in darkness.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you read a chapter and think about for a while then start reading again. This book also give the reader some in sight into Mother Teresa beliefs.Iwon this book on Goodreads.

[Jon Wisnieski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read on the “saint of darkness”. Her struggles with disbelief and despair always intrigued me, and I wanted to learn more about them. She was a women of indomitable will, and also great simplicity. Would love to learn more about her life and work, this merely scratched the surface.

[Gato Negro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parallels between St. Therese of Liseux and Mother Teresa are subtly drawn but significant in this book. This book shows Mother's humility, humanity, and her regular doubtfulness and skepticism of her place in God's plan.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was just drawn to it from what I know of Mother Teresa, nothing earth-shattering, but OK.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful look inside Mother Teresa's life. I felt a real connection to her as I read this book.

[Michael]

Great book on the darkness that can be felt, even and especially when so close to God.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first reading of any books about Mother Teresa. I was deeply touched by it.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading this book. At first it is difficult for me to understand Fr Paul's writing but as I continue reading, it is indeed a beautiful tribute to St Teresa of Calcutta.