Teresa de Calcutta
1910-1997 20th century Feast day: September 5
Service of the poorest as an encounter with Christ, and fidelity held through the night of faith.
Who was Teresa de Calcutta?
A religious of Albanian origin, she first taught in a Calcutta school before leaving everything to live among the poorest in the slums. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, who gather the dying, the leprous and abandoned children across the world. Her writings revealed after her death a long inner night, in which she served in a faith stripped of all felt consolation.
In their own words
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.
The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.
Lord, my God, who am I that you should forsake me? The darkness is so dark, and I am alone.