Mother Theresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait

by Fr. Leo Maasburg

Mother Theresa’s life sounds like a legend: the Albanian girl who entered an Irish order to go to India as a missionary and became an “Angel of the Poor” for countless people. Fr. Leo Maasburg was there as her close companion for many years, traveling with her throughout the world and was witness to countless miracles and incredible little-known occurrences. In this personal portrait of the beloved nun, he presents amazing stories about her that most people have never heard, wonderful and delightful stories about miracles, small and great, that he was privileged to experience at Mother Theresa’s side.
They all tell of her limitless trust in God’s love, of the way the power of faith can move mountains, and of hope that can never die. These stories reveal a humorous, gifted, wise, and arresting woman who has a message of real hope for our time. It’s the life story of one of the most important women of the twentieth century as it has never been told before.

206 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I highly recommend it if you want to learn more about the life of Mother Teresa

[Nelson Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has only heard of Mother Theresa a few times, this book was a great glimpse into the life of this extraordinary woman of faith. It’s like reading about a superhero, except her life was real. Stories ranging from walking up to armed Guerrillas who pointed their guns at them and inviting them to have a picnic, stubbornly making a prime minister commit to visiting the poor, being one of the most decorated women in history, to simply the joy and love she exhibited towards the poorest of the poor.

She was recognized at the United Nations as “the most powerful woman in the world” yet she did it all, not through violence or politics, but through love. I enjoyed the miraculous stories, but enjoyed even more the encounter with the suffering of the poor through her acts of service.

Overall it was a very enjoyable read, and brought me to tears at many times both because of the extraordinary suffering detailed, as well as the supernatural charity offered by Mother Theresa and the Missionaries of Charity.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book for those looking to be inspired by someone who knew how to love those around them. The author does a great job of describing story after story of how Mother Teresa served and loved everyone she met. I honestly did not realize what an amazing woman she was till reading this book.

The book is less like a typical biography which tends to be very chronological and focuses on dates and major life events. Instead this book focuses on the author's experiences with Mother Teresa and attempts to communicate her passion and values through the things he witnessed.

Very glad I read it and am thankful for another Christian role model to learn from.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read

[Davis Haguma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and engaging book. Of course the subject matter is also important and touching. Mother Theresa was really one of the greatest personalities of the twentieth century.

[Kelly Reel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea the magnitude of what she did.

[Sarah Geraghty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this slowly over about a year only picking it up once every couple weeks but each short story was genuinely so moving and inspiring. What a cool woman