Words To Love By

by Mother Teresa

Briefly describes the life of Mother Teresa and shares her thoughts about Jesus, faith, ministry to the poor, the family, love, suffering, and the strength of prayer

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christianity

80 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1983

About the author

Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu[6] (born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, Albanian: [aˈɲɛzə ˈɡɔndʒɛ bɔjaˈdʒiu]; 26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997), honoured in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta,[7] was an Albanian-Indian[4] Roman Catholic nun and missionary.[8] She was born in Skopje (now the capital of North Macedonia), then part of the Kosovo Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire. After living in Skopje for eighteen years, she moved to Ireland and then to India, where she lived for most of her life.

In 1950, Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation that had over 4,500 nuns and was active in 133 countries in 2012. The congregation manages homes for people who are dying of HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis. It also runs soup kitchens, dispensaries, mobile clinics, children's and family counselling programmes, as well as orphanages and schools. Members take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, and also profess a fourth vow – to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor."[9]

Following her death she was beatified by Pope John Paul II and canonized by Pope Francis.

Reviews

[Larada Horner-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring book. Mother Teresa’s commitment that the dying poor have a place to die in dignity touches me deeply.

My favorite quote: “This is Christ in distressing disguise.” Will I look beyond the disguise to see Jesus like Mother Teresa?

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very beautiful, very simple! In a way there is so much to ponder, and at the same time, so little. Basically, live a simple life loving God and loving God in others. There are so many beautiful passages, but one that stands out to me is the chain of prayer > faith > love > service.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing woman! Great book and so inspirational

[Kathy Lama · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite saint and my favorite book. I have read this book many times over. My husband and I often read it together.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, easy-to-read collection of some of Mother Teresa's sayings. She is inspiring.

[D'Linda]

Mother Teresa has an unusual and challenging way of looking at the poor and ill among us. You will come away from this book of quotes from this great woman of faith, changed.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a small ,short book that is beautifully written about Mother Teresa's philosophy and beliefs. So, many beautiful passages . It gives you a lot to think about. I love Morher Teresa

[Mary Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

[writer... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introduction to Mother Teresa of Calcutta offers history of her birth as Agnes Boyaxhui, 1910, Skipje, Yugosalvia. 1928 found her joining the Loretto nuns in Ireland and sent to India within the year. Her role as high school teacher continues for twenty years until she hears the call of God to serve among "the poorest of the poor." She responds by seeking release from the Loretto sisters, leaving the convent under obedience to the Archbishop of Calcutta, she begins a school in the slums and her new life as a religious among the poor. Later, she founds the Missionaries of Charity, now in multiple countries with thousands of members. 1979 saw Mother Teresa awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Depictions of India are portrayed in her descriptions of work and service in her home base of Calcutta. The enormity of size and scope of the city is envisioned as she describes attending to those living in gutters and drains, lepers and dying. All realities of life, suffering and death are addressed as she encountered and helped the least of the least, as she was able.



Interviews conducted by Michael Nabicht and Gaynell Cronin who spent several weeks with Mother Teresa while making the film, WORK OF LOVE resulted in Frank J Cunningham's compilation and edited text.

Beautifully illustrated thoughts and prayers of Mother Teresa represented in black and whites by Rev Patrick Delahanty. Themes foundational to her faith and work include prayer, family, suffering, serving and the reason for all found in Jesus.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple and straightforward (and I should also mention short - I read it in about twenty minutes) look into Mother Teresa's wisdom and assorted mantras. The book is broken up into sections ranging from prayer, to suffering, to Christ Himself, all the topics one would expect Mother Teresa to talk about. The content of the book consists of quotes from Mother Teresa that are then placed into the appropriate sections. A good shot of inspiration, but sometimes I need a little more context. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it. Mother Teresa has some great things to say, but if you're looking for a place to learn about her, or really learn about what she did, I don't think this is the place to start.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting how she does everything for Christ.

[David Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her own words she offers the simple basis of her spirituality. Photos of her working with the poorest of the poor are included.

[Keyondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a great book