Mother Theresa
Time Magazine’s September 3 2007 issue had a lengthy article exposing Blessed Mother Theresa’s dark night of the soul. This was an article that tried to present Mother’s dark night from the perspective of the secular (atheistic rather) world as well as the viewpoint of the Catholic Church.
What set the platform for this article was the release of the letters of Mother Theresa throughout her ministry that were complied into a book, Come Be My Light, edited by Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk. The title of the book may appear ironic considering that it reveals Mother’s dark night! On the contrary, this book actually indicates that the dark night of Mother Theresa will bring many believers who suffer a similar experience to persevere in the faith. After all it seems that Mother had undergone the dark night almost continuously since her mission commenced - 66 years plus.
Why did Mother keep this a secret and instruct the Church to destroy her letters? The answer could be what she told Archbishop Ferdinand Perier of Calcutta, that people would focus on her rather than on Jesus, who was the reason for the ministry.
The secular world has been quoted by Time as saying that Mother Theresa suffered from a psychological disorder that was aggravated by her continuous belief in God. The contrary (Catholic) viewpoint is that she persisted in her vocation because of the vow she made to God to not refuse Him anything. This indicates faith and not delusion.
We would be right to question the wisdom of God in presenting her soul the dark night of his absence. Lest we forget, Jesus too was not spared this experience especially in Gethsemane. Jesus’ actions thereafter was to continue the mission because He knew what was right despite the Father’s silence. Mother Theresa’s actions mirror Jesus’.
Mother Theresa used to say that the greatest poverty was loneliness. Now she becomes credible because she experienced this for 66 years. Throughout her ministry she was united to the downtrodden that she was bringing love to, via their mutual experience of abandonment.
For a proper Catholic examination of the truth behind Mother Theresa’s lonely experience, please view these interviews on Zenit, Part 1 & Part 2. Fr. Kolodiejchuk responds to Time’s article here on CNA.
