She Made Me Laugh: Mother Teresa and the Call to Holiness

by Stephanie Emmons

Most people likely know of Mother Teresa’s great faithfulness to God’s call as she started her ministry to the poor in Calcutta. But at the time, few knew that she had lost all sense of God's presence, love, and sometimes the assurance that God existed at all. Astonishingly, for 50 years, the saint's life was spent in what she called "the darkness." Yet, somehow Mother Teresa managed to get up every morning and say yes to God. And not only did she say yes, she came to accept the darkness, while also allowing a sense of humor and even playfulness to shine through. This book is a memoir of the author’s direct experiences with Mother Teresa during a trip to Calcutta in 1996 when she discovered that sense of humor first hand. It is also an extended reflection on the beloved saint’s “dark night of the soul” and what that might mean for spiritual seekers today.
 

160 pages, Paperback

Published October 6, 2020

Reviews

[Laura Monaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I confess, I bought this book because I know the author and the friend she travelled with. I did not expect to be captivated from the very first page. I would have read the whole thing in one sitting if it weren't for the fact I have a family that sometimes needs me! In any case, when I sat down (actually, lay down in bed) with it the second time, i read the rest of it, late into the night. While I have a few religious books in my pile of books to read, I always choose something else when the time comes to pick another book. I will have to rethink that if the other books are as well written and inviting as this one. Very relatable, Stephanie truly makes you feel what she felt while in India with a deepness I didn't see at the time of their trip. Looking forward to more from her!

[Alexandra Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly good and insightful book.

The first 100 pages record the author’s experience of her first missions trip, to visit Mother Theresa in India. She focuses on her own experience and struggles. Emmons’ descriptions of culture shock, guilt, and especially the voyeuristic aspect of missions trips gave clear insight into what a privileged person can expect to feel on the first visit to a developing country. She also mentions what it was like to meet Mother Theresa. Her experience was so special to read about.

The last 50 pages were less clear on their purpose. Emmons philosophies about Mother Theresa’s experience of feeling distant from God for most of the saint’s time on the mission field. Emmons also mentions ideas about holiness, suffering and faith. I enjoyed reading this section because Emmons is a fun author to read but it seemed disconnected from the first-hand experience of the first 100 pages.

All in all this is a captivating read even if it is unorganized and disjointed at times.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book because I traveled to India on a missions trip in college, and it moved me and the way I view the world. It was so nostalgic to read the author’s experiences of the culture shock of being in a different country, which was fairly similar to my own culture shock I experienced. This author is funny, and there was some humor in a fairly serious book. I do think she got repetitive towards the end of the book, which all her reflections about Mother Teresa. I feel like the book was less about Mother Teresa, and more about the author’s own spiritual journey, which I appreciated.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last third of the book made this read worthwhile for me. Rating 3.5 overall

[Mary Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this woman’s recollections of St. Mother Theresa from the 1990s, and how she tries to understand the saint’s dark night of the soul, and seemingly happy demeanor.

[Esther Mackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"because we cannot see Christ we cannot express our love to Him; but our neighbor we can always see, and we can do for them what, is we saw Him, we would like to do for Christ"