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Mother Teresa: In My Own Words
The legendary Mother Teresa's work for—and among—the poor has become the yardstick by which the entire world measures compassion, generosity, and selflessness. Her words and actions have inspired millions of people from every race and religion and country to help the poor and needy, a legacy that is her gift to all mankind for generations to come.
From 1950, when she founded the order of Missionaries of Charity, to winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and then, in 1985, being awarded the Medal of Freedom—the United States' highest civilian award—to her final days, Mother Teresa served the world as a beacon shedding the light of hope, comfort, and peace on all.
Mother Teresa: In My Own Words is a timeless testament to the power of her words. Here are the same quotes, stories, and prayers that helped strengthen and inspire the poor, the dying, the suffering, and the doubting who she met during her lifetime, and that will continue to strengthen and inspire all who read them.
From 1950, when she founded the order of Missionaries of Charity, to winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and then, in 1985, being awarded the Medal of Freedom—the United States' highest civilian award—to her final days, Mother Teresa served the world as a beacon shedding the light of hope, comfort, and peace on all.
Mother Teresa: In My Own Words is a timeless testament to the power of her words. Here are the same quotes, stories, and prayers that helped strengthen and inspire the poor, the dying, the suffering, and the doubting who she met during her lifetime, and that will continue to strengthen and inspire all who read them.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1996
60 people are currently reading
3258 people want to read
About the author
Mother Teresa
220 books2,255 followersMother 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
September 25, 2022
I was lucky to hear Mother Teresa speak once. She gave a very short speech, with one simple point about the power of compassion. And in this book, she also basically says just that one thing. I'd assume that serving the poor would be a matter of practical problem solving. But her vocation doesn't even aim for any sort of social or administrative reform to deal with the causes of poverty and homelessness. It just sends a symbolic message, so focused and simple that anyone on earth can get it without translation. Of course Mother Teresa's theology was pre-modern and she was happy to gain backing from anyone, even abusive dictators. Most of us have totally different ideas about what sort of life is best and most fulfilling. But I have to admit, her sense of focus was like a laser -- one life, one message.
February 20, 2012
This book is so good. It only took me a few hours to read it. Once I started it I could not stop. She talks about poverty and how the poor are masters. We should look to them as examples of how to be in this world but not of this world. She also states how we need to give quality goods to people and share from what we have materially. The condescending attitude some have towards the poor is not what Jesus intended in his teachings. The poor are Jesus with another face. See Jesus when you look at the face of poverty. How would you treat Jesus if he were standing right in front of you? They deserve basic human rights, dignity, respect, honor, and love. The worst kind of deprivation is loss of love and lonliness. In the United States, we have a lot of lonely people, because there has been a break down of the family. Our support and love comes from the family. How many people face lonliness every day in our country? A woman approached me with a complaint in church yesterday. I gave her my concern and appologized to her. She seemed so surprised by my response to her complaint. I just saw that she must be very lonely, and she only wanted someone who would listen to her and understand. We can reach out to people who are facing all different kinds of poverty. Sister also talked about a woman who had a starving family. She brought the family food. The woman split the food in half and took it to her neighbor who also had a hungry family. i highly recommend this book. It's just filled with inspiration!
September 2, 2011
Reason for Reading: for inspiration.
A collection of mostly quotes, with some short stories, anecdotes and prayers that Mother Teresa has been recorded saying throughout her life either to the poor themselves, or the media. These are awesomely uplifting, wise and true words of wisdom. If everyone could only take Mother's words to heart and live them spiritually, world poverty would simply cease to exist. The book begins with a short biography and introduction to this selfless woman who won the Nobel Peace Price in 1979 (back when it meant something). This intro. can be presumed to be written by the compiler Balado, as no credit is otherwise given anywhere. The book then is divided into chapters based on theme such as: Holiness, Prayer, Christ in the Poor, Mary, Virtues, Suffering, Smiles, Loneliness and Her Mission among many others.
One could quickly gobble up the book in an afternoon but I choose to make it a slow read and ponder Mother Teresa's words. Every evening I would read a two page spread from the book and have the rest of the day to think about any of the thoughts, or ideas that inspired me, and believe me there were many. I often found myself leaving a particularly hard hitting or soul grabbing quote (to me) as my Facebook status and I've dog-eared all the pages with those special words so that in the future I can go back to the book and go straight to those pages. This is a book that will be picked up and laid down many times. A good book to put somewhere accessible to guests in your home.
A collection of mostly quotes, with some short stories, anecdotes and prayers that Mother Teresa has been recorded saying throughout her life either to the poor themselves, or the media. These are awesomely uplifting, wise and true words of wisdom. If everyone could only take Mother's words to heart and live them spiritually, world poverty would simply cease to exist. The book begins with a short biography and introduction to this selfless woman who won the Nobel Peace Price in 1979 (back when it meant something). This intro. can be presumed to be written by the compiler Balado, as no credit is otherwise given anywhere. The book then is divided into chapters based on theme such as: Holiness, Prayer, Christ in the Poor, Mary, Virtues, Suffering, Smiles, Loneliness and Her Mission among many others.
One could quickly gobble up the book in an afternoon but I choose to make it a slow read and ponder Mother Teresa's words. Every evening I would read a two page spread from the book and have the rest of the day to think about any of the thoughts, or ideas that inspired me, and believe me there were many. I often found myself leaving a particularly hard hitting or soul grabbing quote (to me) as my Facebook status and I've dog-eared all the pages with those special words so that in the future I can go back to the book and go straight to those pages. This is a book that will be picked up and laid down many times. A good book to put somewhere accessible to guests in your home.
November 3, 2008
This is my favorite book of all time for some many reasons. I read it every year.
February 5, 2017
This is so good. Insightful, inspiring and relevant. Checked out from the library but I'll be buying a copy to read again!
January 23, 2018
Loved this book. The main theme and of utmost importance was love, to perform acts of charity though love. She is a true inspiration
April 15, 2009
This is a beautiful little book. I literally wept several times while reading it. Mother Teresa lived a beautiful life of love and devotion to the poor.
July 5, 2009
A great book!
It gives me power,I read it again and again.
Everyone should keep one.
It gives me power,I read it again and again.
Everyone should keep one.
February 13, 2020
Great inspiring read. Skipped the chapter on Mary- but WOW. Sometimes I ponder what my life would’ve been like if I had taken a path of true humility and dedication to the poor with every bit of my being. How can I be more useful and dedicated to Christ and the poor as a married person with children? Praying for a mentality like Mother Teresa, and a heart that seeks to truly help the poor. Materially poor and spiritually poor.
February 4, 2018
Life changing and humbling!!! Our world was lucky to be blessed by this extraordinary woman.
January 11, 2026
No one fires me up about social justice the way she does.
February 18, 2024
A humbling little book.
June 1, 2019
Mother Teresa is a remarkable woman with such pure desires to serve the one, like Jesus did. I'm inspired by her example and her words. Here are some of my favorites:
"If we were humble, nothing would change us--neither praise nor discouragement."
"Mother Teresa...has never felt compelled to write a literary work, not because she doesn't appreciate literature or is incapable of writing, but because to do so would detract from the natural beauty and intimacy of her thoughts and convictions... All she has done, in her own words, is 'follow Jesus' word (p. vii).'"
"She could have hidden behind the convent's massive walls and led a peaceful life. But Sister Teresa is one of those rare people who takes Jesus at his word... 'I had to leave the convent (Loreta) and consecrate myself to help the poor, living among them (p. ix).'"
"Sister Teresa started working with those she found first: abandoned children (p. x)."
"As a result of Mother Teresa's work--which she has always attributed to God's doing--other groups, equally dedicated to serving the poor, have come into existence (p. xi)."
"She has never considered any of these prizes and cash awards as personal property, but has merely accepted them in the name of the poor--and has spent every cent on them (p. xii)."
"Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things. It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us. It consists in accepting and following the will of God (p. 1)."
"Saint Thomas Aquinas assures us that holiness 'is nothing else but a resolution made, the heroic act of a soul that surrenders to God (p. 3).'"
"If we do the work for God and for his glory, we may be sanctified (p. 3)."
"We should go out to meet people. Meet the people who live afar and those who live very close by. Meet the materially poor or the spiritually poor (p. 3)."
"I believe that politicians spend too little time on their knees. I am convinced that they would be better politicians if they were to do so (p. 7)."
"Prayer does not demand that we interrupt our work, but that we continue working as if it were a prayer (p. 7)."
"'Lord, may I not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
Because it is in giving that we receive,
in pardoning that we are pardoned (Saint Francis of Assisi, p. 8).'"
"The first requirement for prayer is silence. People of prayer are people of silence (p. 8)."
"Give them today, using our hands, their daily bread. And, using our love, give them peace and happiness (p. 9)."
"I am asked what is one to do to be sure that one is following the way of salvation. I answer: 'Love God. And, above all, pray (p. 11).'"
"'Never forget, my children, that the poor are our masters... love them and serve them, with utter respect (Saint Vincent de Paul, p. 15).'"
"That mother was aware of the situation. She had the courage and the love to share her meager portion of rice with others. In spite of her circumstances, I think she felt very happy to share with her neighbors the little I had taken her (p. 16)."
"'The Christian is someone who gives (p. 17).'"
"Do not tire of giving, but do not give your leftovers. Give until it hurts, until you feel the pain (p. 17)."
"The more you save, the less you will be able to give. The less you have, the more you will know how to share (p. 18)."
"To share: what a beautiful thing (p. 19)!"
"I do not want you to give me your leftovers. Our poor do not need your condescending attitude nor your pity. The poor need your love and your kindness (p. 19)."
"If we worry too much about ourselves, we won't have time for others (p. 20)."
"Today it is very fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them (p. 23)."
"I have the feeling that we are in such a hurry that we do not even have time to look at one another and smile (p. 23)."
"When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed. We have refused to be instruments of love in the hands of God to give the poor a piece of bread, to offer them a dress with which to ward off the cold. It has happened because we did not recognize Christ when, once more, he appeared under the guise of pain, identified with a man numb from the cold, dying of hunger, when he came in a lonely human being, in a lost child in search of a home (p. 25)."
"It is possible that our children, our husband, our wife, do not hunger for bread, do not need clothes, do not lack a house. But are we equally sure that none of them feels alone, abandoned, neglected, needing some affection? That, too, is poverty (p. 27)."
"If there are poor on the moon, we will go there too (p. 28)."
"Jesus comes to meet us. To welcome him, let us go to meet him. He comes to us in the hungry, the naked, the lonely, the alcoholic, the drug addict, the prostitute, the street beggars. He may come to you or me in a father who is alone, in a mother, in a brother, or in a sister. If we reject them, if we do not go out to meet them, we reject Jesus himself (p. 29)."
"The important thing is not to do a lot or to do everything. The important thing is to be ready for anything, at all times; to be convinced that when serving the poor, we really serve God (p. 29)."
"Poverty has not been created by God. We are the ones who have created poverty. Before God, we are all poor (p. 30)."
"Do not be afraid of loving to the point of sacrifice, until it hurts. Jesus' love for us led him to his death (p. 39)."
"God does not demand that I be successful. God demands that I be faithful (p. 40)."
"God has created us so we do small things with great love. I believe in that great love, that comes, or should come from our heart, should start at home: with my family, my neighbors across the street, those right next door. And this love should then reach everyone (p. 45)."
"Jesus announced which will be the criteria of the final judgment of our lives: we will be judged according to love. Judged according to the love we have shown the poor, with whom God identifies: 'You did it to me' (Matthew 25:40) (p. 45)."
"We should ask questions like: Do I know the poor? Do I know, in the first place, the poor in my family, in my home, those who are closest to me--people who are poor, but not because they lack bread (p. 51)?"
"Where does love begin? In our own homes. When does it begin? When we pray together. The family that prays together stays together (p. 51)."
"Pride destroys everything. To imitate Jesus is the key to be meek and humble in heart (p. 56)."
"At the moment of death we will not be judged according to the number of good deeds we have done or by the diplomas we have received in our lifetime. We will be judged according to the love we have put into our work (p. 65)."
"The first person in the world to welcome Jesus, to recognize him in the womb of his own mother, was a child: John the Baptist. It is wonderful; God chooses an unborn child to announce the coming of his redeeming Son (p. 68)."
"We should give God all the credit and be extremely sincere when we do so (p. 68)."
"Peace beings with a smile (p. 73)."
"To smile at someone who is sad; to visit, even for a little while, someone who is lonely; to give someone shelter from the rain with our umbrella; to read something for someone who is blind; these and others can be small things, very small things, but they are appropriate to give our love of God concrete expression to the poor (p. 75)."
"I never will understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish (p. 75)."
"Let us never forget: love beings at home (p. 75)."
"It is better to have less in order to give it all to Jesus (p. 79)."
"If that person places his or her money at the service of others, then the person becomes rich, very rich indeed (p. 79)."
"If someone sees God in me, I am happy. I see God in everyone, and especially in those who suffer (p. 87)."
"There are many kinds of poverty. Even in countries where the economic situation seems to be a good one, there are expressions of poverty hidden in a deep place, such as the tremendous loneliness of people who have been abandoned and who are suffering (p. 91)."
"As far as I am concerned, the greatest suffering is to feel alone, unwanted, unloved. The greatest suffering is also having no one, forgetting what an intimate, truly human relationship is, not knowing what it means to be loved, not having a family or friends (p. 91)."
"It's we who, with our exclusion and rejecting, push our brothers and sisters to find refuge in alcohol and become drunks. They drink to forget the deprivation of their lives (p. 91)."
"People are hungry for God. They long to hear his Word (p. 97)."
"We all have the duty to serve God where we are called to do so. I feel called to serve individuals, to love each human being. My calling is not to judge the institutions. I am not qualified to condemn anyone. I never think in terms of a crowd, but of individual persons. If I thought in terms of crowds, I would never begin my work. I believe in the personal touch of one to one. If others are convinced that God wants them to change social structures, that is a matter for them to take up with God (p. 99)."
"Often we Christians constitute the worst obstacle for those who try to become closer to Christ; we often preach a gospel we do not live. This is the principle reason why people of the world don't believe (p. 100)."
"I was hungry and you gave me food...I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me... [Matthew 25:35-36] Our work is based on these words of Jesus (p. 103)."
"We do it all for Jesus and for the love of the poor (p. 105)."
"The work is nothing but a means to express our love for him (p. 107)."
"The most important thing in our centers is the opportunity we are offered to reach souls (p. 109)."
"If we were humble, nothing would change us--neither praise nor discouragement."
"Mother Teresa...has never felt compelled to write a literary work, not because she doesn't appreciate literature or is incapable of writing, but because to do so would detract from the natural beauty and intimacy of her thoughts and convictions... All she has done, in her own words, is 'follow Jesus' word (p. vii).'"
"She could have hidden behind the convent's massive walls and led a peaceful life. But Sister Teresa is one of those rare people who takes Jesus at his word... 'I had to leave the convent (Loreta) and consecrate myself to help the poor, living among them (p. ix).'"
"Sister Teresa started working with those she found first: abandoned children (p. x)."
"As a result of Mother Teresa's work--which she has always attributed to God's doing--other groups, equally dedicated to serving the poor, have come into existence (p. xi)."
"She has never considered any of these prizes and cash awards as personal property, but has merely accepted them in the name of the poor--and has spent every cent on them (p. xii)."
"Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things. It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us. It consists in accepting and following the will of God (p. 1)."
"Saint Thomas Aquinas assures us that holiness 'is nothing else but a resolution made, the heroic act of a soul that surrenders to God (p. 3).'"
"If we do the work for God and for his glory, we may be sanctified (p. 3)."
"We should go out to meet people. Meet the people who live afar and those who live very close by. Meet the materially poor or the spiritually poor (p. 3)."
"I believe that politicians spend too little time on their knees. I am convinced that they would be better politicians if they were to do so (p. 7)."
"Prayer does not demand that we interrupt our work, but that we continue working as if it were a prayer (p. 7)."
"'Lord, may I not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
Because it is in giving that we receive,
in pardoning that we are pardoned (Saint Francis of Assisi, p. 8).'"
"The first requirement for prayer is silence. People of prayer are people of silence (p. 8)."
"Give them today, using our hands, their daily bread. And, using our love, give them peace and happiness (p. 9)."
"I am asked what is one to do to be sure that one is following the way of salvation. I answer: 'Love God. And, above all, pray (p. 11).'"
"'Never forget, my children, that the poor are our masters... love them and serve them, with utter respect (Saint Vincent de Paul, p. 15).'"
"That mother was aware of the situation. She had the courage and the love to share her meager portion of rice with others. In spite of her circumstances, I think she felt very happy to share with her neighbors the little I had taken her (p. 16)."
"'The Christian is someone who gives (p. 17).'"
"Do not tire of giving, but do not give your leftovers. Give until it hurts, until you feel the pain (p. 17)."
"The more you save, the less you will be able to give. The less you have, the more you will know how to share (p. 18)."
"To share: what a beautiful thing (p. 19)!"
"I do not want you to give me your leftovers. Our poor do not need your condescending attitude nor your pity. The poor need your love and your kindness (p. 19)."
"If we worry too much about ourselves, we won't have time for others (p. 20)."
"Today it is very fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them (p. 23)."
"I have the feeling that we are in such a hurry that we do not even have time to look at one another and smile (p. 23)."
"When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed. We have refused to be instruments of love in the hands of God to give the poor a piece of bread, to offer them a dress with which to ward off the cold. It has happened because we did not recognize Christ when, once more, he appeared under the guise of pain, identified with a man numb from the cold, dying of hunger, when he came in a lonely human being, in a lost child in search of a home (p. 25)."
"It is possible that our children, our husband, our wife, do not hunger for bread, do not need clothes, do not lack a house. But are we equally sure that none of them feels alone, abandoned, neglected, needing some affection? That, too, is poverty (p. 27)."
"If there are poor on the moon, we will go there too (p. 28)."
"Jesus comes to meet us. To welcome him, let us go to meet him. He comes to us in the hungry, the naked, the lonely, the alcoholic, the drug addict, the prostitute, the street beggars. He may come to you or me in a father who is alone, in a mother, in a brother, or in a sister. If we reject them, if we do not go out to meet them, we reject Jesus himself (p. 29)."
"The important thing is not to do a lot or to do everything. The important thing is to be ready for anything, at all times; to be convinced that when serving the poor, we really serve God (p. 29)."
"Poverty has not been created by God. We are the ones who have created poverty. Before God, we are all poor (p. 30)."
"Do not be afraid of loving to the point of sacrifice, until it hurts. Jesus' love for us led him to his death (p. 39)."
"God does not demand that I be successful. God demands that I be faithful (p. 40)."
"God has created us so we do small things with great love. I believe in that great love, that comes, or should come from our heart, should start at home: with my family, my neighbors across the street, those right next door. And this love should then reach everyone (p. 45)."
"Jesus announced which will be the criteria of the final judgment of our lives: we will be judged according to love. Judged according to the love we have shown the poor, with whom God identifies: 'You did it to me' (Matthew 25:40) (p. 45)."
"We should ask questions like: Do I know the poor? Do I know, in the first place, the poor in my family, in my home, those who are closest to me--people who are poor, but not because they lack bread (p. 51)?"
"Where does love begin? In our own homes. When does it begin? When we pray together. The family that prays together stays together (p. 51)."
"Pride destroys everything. To imitate Jesus is the key to be meek and humble in heart (p. 56)."
"At the moment of death we will not be judged according to the number of good deeds we have done or by the diplomas we have received in our lifetime. We will be judged according to the love we have put into our work (p. 65)."
"The first person in the world to welcome Jesus, to recognize him in the womb of his own mother, was a child: John the Baptist. It is wonderful; God chooses an unborn child to announce the coming of his redeeming Son (p. 68)."
"We should give God all the credit and be extremely sincere when we do so (p. 68)."
"Peace beings with a smile (p. 73)."
"To smile at someone who is sad; to visit, even for a little while, someone who is lonely; to give someone shelter from the rain with our umbrella; to read something for someone who is blind; these and others can be small things, very small things, but they are appropriate to give our love of God concrete expression to the poor (p. 75)."
"I never will understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish (p. 75)."
"Let us never forget: love beings at home (p. 75)."
"It is better to have less in order to give it all to Jesus (p. 79)."
"If that person places his or her money at the service of others, then the person becomes rich, very rich indeed (p. 79)."
"If someone sees God in me, I am happy. I see God in everyone, and especially in those who suffer (p. 87)."
"There are many kinds of poverty. Even in countries where the economic situation seems to be a good one, there are expressions of poverty hidden in a deep place, such as the tremendous loneliness of people who have been abandoned and who are suffering (p. 91)."
"As far as I am concerned, the greatest suffering is to feel alone, unwanted, unloved. The greatest suffering is also having no one, forgetting what an intimate, truly human relationship is, not knowing what it means to be loved, not having a family or friends (p. 91)."
"It's we who, with our exclusion and rejecting, push our brothers and sisters to find refuge in alcohol and become drunks. They drink to forget the deprivation of their lives (p. 91)."
"People are hungry for God. They long to hear his Word (p. 97)."
"We all have the duty to serve God where we are called to do so. I feel called to serve individuals, to love each human being. My calling is not to judge the institutions. I am not qualified to condemn anyone. I never think in terms of a crowd, but of individual persons. If I thought in terms of crowds, I would never begin my work. I believe in the personal touch of one to one. If others are convinced that God wants them to change social structures, that is a matter for them to take up with God (p. 99)."
"Often we Christians constitute the worst obstacle for those who try to become closer to Christ; we often preach a gospel we do not live. This is the principle reason why people of the world don't believe (p. 100)."
"I was hungry and you gave me food...I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me... [Matthew 25:35-36] Our work is based on these words of Jesus (p. 103)."
"We do it all for Jesus and for the love of the poor (p. 105)."
"The work is nothing but a means to express our love for him (p. 107)."
"The most important thing in our centers is the opportunity we are offered to reach souls (p. 109)."
April 11, 2021
Perfect Sabbath reading. Mother Teresa's few words are powerful as they implore us to follow Christ above all else and to do so by loving the poor, first in our families and those we encounter in everyday life.
May 14, 2017
A powerful testament to Mother Teresa's humanity, humbleness and faith. I do not share all of her views, but I found it impossible not to be swayed by her unwavering belief in the unseen.
"Not given to much talking, Mother Teresa spoke only when necessary. Thus her words, never labored nor many, were convincing." pg vii, introduction.
"I have the feeling that we are in such a hurry that we do not even have time to look at one another and smile." pg 23. I believe that too. What does a smile cost? Nothing.
"Sometimes people can hunger for more than bread. It is possible that our children, our husband, our wife, do not hunger for bread, do not need clothes, do not lack a house. But are we equally sure that none of them feels alone, abandoned, neglected, needing some affection? That, too, is poverty." pg 27. I was most moved by Mother Teresa's thoughts about poverty in the first-world. We do suffer from a plague of unkindness, loneliness and greed. I believe that the soul needs more than food to thrive.
"Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread joy, we need for every family to have joy." pg 47. Yes.
Finally: "As far as I am concerned, the greatest suffering is to feel alone, unwanted, unloved. The greatest suffering is also having no one, forgetting what an intimate, truly human relationship is, not knowing what it means to be loved, not having a family or friends." pg 91. Wisdom from a woman who worked with some of the poorest people on the planet.
A beautiful collection of quotations from a beautiful soul- recommended for everyone but especially those in need of loving words and some peace.
"Not given to much talking, Mother Teresa spoke only when necessary. Thus her words, never labored nor many, were convincing." pg vii, introduction.
"I have the feeling that we are in such a hurry that we do not even have time to look at one another and smile." pg 23. I believe that too. What does a smile cost? Nothing.
"Sometimes people can hunger for more than bread. It is possible that our children, our husband, our wife, do not hunger for bread, do not need clothes, do not lack a house. But are we equally sure that none of them feels alone, abandoned, neglected, needing some affection? That, too, is poverty." pg 27. I was most moved by Mother Teresa's thoughts about poverty in the first-world. We do suffer from a plague of unkindness, loneliness and greed. I believe that the soul needs more than food to thrive.
"Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread joy, we need for every family to have joy." pg 47. Yes.
Finally: "As far as I am concerned, the greatest suffering is to feel alone, unwanted, unloved. The greatest suffering is also having no one, forgetting what an intimate, truly human relationship is, not knowing what it means to be loved, not having a family or friends." pg 91. Wisdom from a woman who worked with some of the poorest people on the planet.
A beautiful collection of quotations from a beautiful soul- recommended for everyone but especially those in need of loving words and some peace.
May 18, 2009
I, like many others I'm sure, feel that Mother Teresa was a great person. This book is full of quotes from her. It is awe-inspiring to me that she did such great things and was as humble about what she was doing as she was.
While reading these quotes I was struck by how simple the things she said truly were, yet in their simplicity lies their magnitude. She wasn't helping the poor because it made her a better person, she was helping the poor because it was what she was needed to do to strengthen her relationship with Jesus. Many times she mentions that she helps the poor because the poor are Jesus, and by helping them she is helping Jesus.
Reading these quotes from her was quite touching. I hope that by listening to the message that she was conveying that I can become a better person.
While reading these quotes I was struck by how simple the things she said truly were, yet in their simplicity lies their magnitude. She wasn't helping the poor because it made her a better person, she was helping the poor because it was what she was needed to do to strengthen her relationship with Jesus. Many times she mentions that she helps the poor because the poor are Jesus, and by helping them she is helping Jesus.
Reading these quotes from her was quite touching. I hope that by listening to the message that she was conveying that I can become a better person.
September 1, 2017
I loved reading this book. It does a great job of taking my mind to a peaceful place. I am going to come back to this book as an anchor. One of my favorite bits from the book about dealing with suffering as a person who is personally affected:
"The important thing is not to do a lot or to do everything. The important thing is to be ready for anything at all times."
"The important thing is not to do a lot or to do everything. The important thing is to be ready for anything at all times."
March 27, 2016
This is a small book but that does not reflect the amount of inspiration that one receives while reading Mother Teresa's reflections. I highly recommend everyone to take the time to read her wise words, act on them, and see change not only in your home but our world.
May 3, 2020
Two points of importance:
1. I expected this book to be biographical so when it turned out to be more of "devotional" in nature, I was disappointed.
2. Reading about Mother Teresa's beliefs was interesting, but I feel like this book would have been a much more powerful experience for someone in her religion.
I do highly respect her and appreciate the opportunity to ponder some of the lovely ideas that were presented.
"The fruit of silence is prayer.
The fruit of prayer is faith.
The fruit of faith is love.
The fruit of love is service.
The fruit of service is peace"
"You must be full of silence, for in the silence of the heart God speaks. An empty heart God fills. Even Almighty God will not fill a heart that is full- full of pride, bitterness, jealousy- we must give those things up. As long as we are holding these things, God cannot fill it. Silence of the heart, not only of the mouth- that too is necessary- but more, that silence of the mind, silence of the eyes, silence of the touch. Then you can hear Him everywhere: in the closing of the door, in the person who needs you, in the birds that sing, in the flowers, the animals- that silence which is wonder and praise."
"Love to be true has to begin with God in prayer. If we pray, we will be able to serve and therefore today let us all promise that we will give out hands to serve the poor. That we will give our hearts to serve them for they too have been created for the greater things..."
"Hunger is not only for bread, hunger is for love, to be loved, to be wanted. That terrible loneliness of the old and the ... people is a terrible hunger. Nakedness is not only for a piece of cloth but nakedness is also that want of dignity, that beautiful gift of God, the loss of purity of heart, of mind, of body. Homelessness is not only for a house made of bricks, homelessness is also being rejected, being a "throw away" of society, unwanted, unloved, uncared [for]. There among these people you can put and I can put my love for God in a living action. There are many people I am sure in hospitals that have no one to visit them. Maybe just a little visit, a little smile, a little shake of the hand can bring joy in the lives of these lonely people who have no one."
1. I expected this book to be biographical so when it turned out to be more of "devotional" in nature, I was disappointed.
2. Reading about Mother Teresa's beliefs was interesting, but I feel like this book would have been a much more powerful experience for someone in her religion.
I do highly respect her and appreciate the opportunity to ponder some of the lovely ideas that were presented.
"The fruit of silence is prayer.
The fruit of prayer is faith.
The fruit of faith is love.
The fruit of love is service.
The fruit of service is peace"
"You must be full of silence, for in the silence of the heart God speaks. An empty heart God fills. Even Almighty God will not fill a heart that is full- full of pride, bitterness, jealousy- we must give those things up. As long as we are holding these things, God cannot fill it. Silence of the heart, not only of the mouth- that too is necessary- but more, that silence of the mind, silence of the eyes, silence of the touch. Then you can hear Him everywhere: in the closing of the door, in the person who needs you, in the birds that sing, in the flowers, the animals- that silence which is wonder and praise."
"Love to be true has to begin with God in prayer. If we pray, we will be able to serve and therefore today let us all promise that we will give out hands to serve the poor. That we will give our hearts to serve them for they too have been created for the greater things..."
"Hunger is not only for bread, hunger is for love, to be loved, to be wanted. That terrible loneliness of the old and the ... people is a terrible hunger. Nakedness is not only for a piece of cloth but nakedness is also that want of dignity, that beautiful gift of God, the loss of purity of heart, of mind, of body. Homelessness is not only for a house made of bricks, homelessness is also being rejected, being a "throw away" of society, unwanted, unloved, uncared [for]. There among these people you can put and I can put my love for God in a living action. There are many people I am sure in hospitals that have no one to visit them. Maybe just a little visit, a little smile, a little shake of the hand can bring joy in the lives of these lonely people who have no one."
July 26, 2022
I picked this one up at a Goodwill and read it on a whim, thinking it would offer some noncontroversial food for the journey. Then lines like this pop up throughout:
"I don't think we could have ever loved God if Jesus had not become one of us."
I've heard this kind of thing before and had trouble with it then, too. Doesn't even the Christian Bible show us Jews loving God for thousands of years prior to Jesus? The Psalms? Not to mention all of the non-Hebrew devotees who loved God prior to Jesus' arrival on the scene. This is the kind of religion bias that causes so many problems, seems to me.
But for all of that objectionable content, there is some down-to-earth gold to be had:
"At the moment of death, we will not be judged by the amount of work we have done but by the weight of love we have put into our work."
and
"There is so much unhappiness, so much misery everywhere. Our human nature stays with us from beginning to end. We must work hard every day to conquer ourselves."
and
"It is easy to love those who live far away. It is not always easy to love those who live next to us."
Some classic Mother T in those lines.
"I don't think we could have ever loved God if Jesus had not become one of us."
I've heard this kind of thing before and had trouble with it then, too. Doesn't even the Christian Bible show us Jews loving God for thousands of years prior to Jesus? The Psalms? Not to mention all of the non-Hebrew devotees who loved God prior to Jesus' arrival on the scene. This is the kind of religion bias that causes so many problems, seems to me.
But for all of that objectionable content, there is some down-to-earth gold to be had:
"At the moment of death, we will not be judged by the amount of work we have done but by the weight of love we have put into our work."
and
"There is so much unhappiness, so much misery everywhere. Our human nature stays with us from beginning to end. We must work hard every day to conquer ourselves."
and
"It is easy to love those who live far away. It is not always easy to love those who live next to us."
Some classic Mother T in those lines.
January 14, 2020
I picked this book up many years ago seeking inspiration for action. Re-reading my highlighted quotes more than a decade on, I am aware of how I have grown away from the Christian mentality and how it is practised.
For example, I can see the mentality and inspiration for helping the poor the Missionaries of Charity nuns get, so they can be closer to Christ. Whilst admirable and is likely a challenging life, this is removed from seeing the humanity of the person being helped. There is a subtle and important difference between this and say social work, a profession which helps because the person is oppressed and needs help, rather than helping to further ones religious conviction, help the person in the process, enhance one's own afterlife and promote the cause of more Christians on Earth.
For example, I can see the mentality and inspiration for helping the poor the Missionaries of Charity nuns get, so they can be closer to Christ. Whilst admirable and is likely a challenging life, this is removed from seeing the humanity of the person being helped. There is a subtle and important difference between this and say social work, a profession which helps because the person is oppressed and needs help, rather than helping to further ones religious conviction, help the person in the process, enhance one's own afterlife and promote the cause of more Christians on Earth.
October 4, 2020
The works of Mother Teresa defied modern convention and life even among the most fervently dedicated religious and most esteemed of those who successfully contributed to society.
After 20 years teaching school as a nun in a Catholic religious order, she felt a specific call from God to leave her position there and serve those dying in the streets of Calcutta, India.
Decades of doing that sacred work serving the poorest of the poor and growing her religious order and supporters along the way, her writings are full of virtue, wisdom, insight and a sharpness that belies her challenging life.
Reads as concise insights into God, love, service, patience, prayer, etc.
After 20 years teaching school as a nun in a Catholic religious order, she felt a specific call from God to leave her position there and serve those dying in the streets of Calcutta, India.
Decades of doing that sacred work serving the poorest of the poor and growing her religious order and supporters along the way, her writings are full of virtue, wisdom, insight and a sharpness that belies her challenging life.
Reads as concise insights into God, love, service, patience, prayer, etc.
June 14, 2023
Mother Teresa never fails to inspire me. This book is a simple collection of her words on various occasions and topics, and yet in that simplicity I was moved both to tears of joy at God's goodness and incomprehensible love for us, and tears of sorrow and compassion for the physically poor, who have more treasure stored up and a better understanding of love than the spiritually poor. Such a holy and beautiful life Saint Teresa of Calcutta lived; if I could but imitate a fraction of her piety and selflessness.
August 31, 2017
I have always admired Mother Teresa, and this book gave me great insight into her thoughts on many things: charity, love, God, and family. I loved this book, it was very inspiring and full of wisdom.
December 23, 2019
"Mother Teresa: In My Own Words" is a beautiful compilation of quotes, stories and prayers from our recently canonized St. Teresa of Calcutta. I used this 1996 publication as an Advent meditation this year. This is a true testament to the power of her words and an inspiration to a who read them.
January 21, 2020
This is basically just a coffee table quote book of Mama T. Although some deep and insightful quotes you’ll get a better more complete read through one of her other books, No Greater Love, but if you just want quotes I guess this is the one?
August 25, 2020
She born in Albania but devoted her life to poor and sick people in India. The best example for humanity to help others. Mother Teresa's In My Own Words is a nice and inspiring book to read.
June 27, 2023
How can you not rate the book five stars when it contains the heartfelt thoughts and words of a saint. Mother Theresa devoted her life to the poor totally unselfishly living the gospel of Jesus. What a wonderful woman she was.
January 17, 2026
A compact but powerful book. I use this as a nightly devotional of sorts and I can say that it honestly challenged me to be more intentional about my charity and generosity. What an inspirational woman of God.
July 14, 2017
There are a lot of gems in here. I like this quote from a prayer written by Cardinal Newman, "May people not see me, but see you in me."
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