My Life for the Poor: Mother Teresa of Calcutta

by José Luis González-Balado (Editor), Janet Nora Playfoot (Editor)

In this inspiring book, one of the world's most famous women tells her own story: her childhood, her family, and her early years in Albania; her work and religious training as a nun; her years teaching in India; her call to leave her order to serve the poor; the establishment of her Missionaries of Charity; and the growth of her order, including their life together and the work they have done.

Genres: Social Justice, Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion, Biography

128 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1985

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before this book, I knew very little about Mother Teresa, so it taught me a lot about her life and mission. However, it was very repetitive and seemed to say the same things over and over again. It is a short quick read and worth the time. My favorite quotes from the book are:
"When you accept a task, do it willingly. If not, don't accept it!" (this was advice to Mother Teresa from her biological mother.)
"There must be a reason people live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste, when I see people throwing away things that we could use." This statement led her into a couple of pages of thinking about the loneliness that people feel even when they have many things and people around them.

I liked the things this book made me think about even though I am not particularly religious. I think I will look for other books written about her. To counter these thoughts, I will also read something by Ayn Rand.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing. Beautiful, powerful, upside down, counter culture way of living with Jesus. This is profound & everyone should read. ❤️

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only rated this book 3 stars because of the structure, as many sections were repeated and there was no clear formatting (since they compiled it from interviews and letters of Mother Teresa's). Her actual quotes regarding faith were inspiring, challenging, and opened you to a completely different worldview. Some of the statements have stayed with me over the time period since I began to read this book. Especially this one "You are called to be holy in the place that God has put you".

[Kristie Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of Mother Teresa's words is inspiring and uplifting. Love of Christ was her motivation for all she did. It is a quick read that can help us love our fellow beings more as Christ would.

[Christina Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

So simple and beautiful!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this little gem a week or two ago, it was nice pick-me-up after reading some heavier stuff. Mother Teresa truly was an inspiring person and I found that many of the thoughts she shared were timely for me, good reminders that I needed. This book is not a true biography, but more like a little bit of personal history included in a collection of things she has said/taught over the years in various locations and for various purposes. As such, it is a little sporadic, repetitive, and choppy as far as reading goes. But Mother Teresa herself never claimed to be an eloquent orator or writer, and never really wanted the attention towards herself. The editors state that at the outset, so I was prepared. I bought a copy to keep and I underlined plenty of meaningful quotes - well worth the time to read.

[ShaLisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book elicited good discussion. Give until it hurts, she said. And, you have to be poor to help the poor. These ideas along with her exemplary life are worthwhile. The book, however, was short of narratives, personal history and was often redundant. Of course, the purpose of this book is altogether different than most of the books you find on Mother Teresa being that this is the only books, it says in the prolog, that she wrote or dictated herself. She gave her life to help the poor and that is admirable, yet, the book seemed to leave holes in her story. Still, it is a peice of her - it is her purpose and belief in a cause.

[Beth Given · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother Teresa was a truly inspiring woman. I liked how she internalized and taught that serving the poor is serving Christ, and I appreciated the thoughts on how we can all serve people in our own neighborhoods -- the need to know Christ is everywhere, not just in far-off countries. (In other words: this book was not the guilt-trip I thought it might be!)

This is a slim little volume that doesn't give many details of Mother Teresa's life, but I felt I knew her just by reading her words. When I find my notes, I will have to come back to this review and include the quotes I wrote down; there's some really good stuff in here!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a Christ-like lady. A quick and inspirational read. The only thing that could have been better was that sometimes a story or thought would be repeated like one page later, so it seemed a little redundant.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read at least one book about Mother Teresa. She was an incredible woman.

[UpstateNYgal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother Teresa and her many, many wonderful gifts to the world.

[Sandy Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short book filled with great short stories that give a glimpse of who Mother Teresa was. A good quick read. I reread it frequently.

[Melisa Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this was pivotal for me.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing perspective on life. Unbelievable woman

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired me to serve the poor.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give more of myself since reading this book.