Inspired by a supernatural revelation , devotion to Mary became an integral part of St . Teresa ’ s spirituality .
ST . TERESA OF CALCUTTA
FORMED BY OUR LADY ’ S LOVE
Inspired by a supernatural revelation , devotion to Mary became an integral part of St . Teresa ’ s spirituality .
Dr . Robert Fastiggi
St . Teresa of Calcutta was very devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary . The formative role of the Mother of God in the life and spirituality of St . Teresa is made abundantly clear in Mother Teresa : In the Shadow of Our Lady by Fr . Joseph
Langford , MC ( Our Sunday Visitor , 2007 ). A Missionary of Charity himself , Father Langford points to the three parts of the vision Mother Teresa had in 1947 that moved her to begin her new religious community .
“ Carry Jesus to Them ”
The first scene of the vision was “ the painful plight of the poor .” The second part of the vision showed Our Lady in the midst of the poor with Mother Teresa at Mary ’ s side . In this vision the Blessed Mother tells the future saint : “ Take care of them . . . they are mine . . . . Bring them to Jesus . . . carry Jesus to them . . . . Fear not . Teach them to say the Rosary . . . the family Rosary and all will be well . . . . Fear not . . . . Jesus and I will be with you and your children .”
The third scene in the vision was of Jesus on the cross with Mother Teresa herself gazing at the crucified Lord . This scene , however , also showed the Blessed Mother ’ s left hand supporting Mother Teresa while looking at Jesus .
Jesus then says to Mother Teresa : “ I have asked you . They have asked you , and she , My Mother , has asked you . Will you refuse to do this for me — to take care of them , to bring them to me ?”
As Father Langford explains , “ These visions encapsulated Mother Teresa ’ s call , in her inner life as well as in her external work .” The Blessed Mother was present in the vision that called Mother Teresa to serve the poor , and Mary tells Teresa that the poor are hers , meaning her children . Father Langford
“ THE BLESSED MOTHER WAS PRESENT IN THE VISION THAT CALLED MOTHER TERESA TO SERVE THE POOR .”
says that “ Mother Teresa shared in Our Lady ’ s grace of motherhood toward those neediest of her children .”
Consecration to the Immaculate Heart
The life of Mother Teresa shows that she was formed by Mary ’ s love in many ways . Mother Teresa wanted each of her Missionaries of Charity sisters to “ choose the Immaculate Queen of Heaven for her Mother .” And she quoted the words of St . Louis of Montfort ( 1673 – 1716 ) to her sisters : “ With Mary , we make more progress in the love of Jesus in one month than we make in years while living less united to this good Mother .”
Mother Teresa chose Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart as her patroness and the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the titular feast of the Missionaries of Charity . Mary ’ s Immaculate Heart was for Mother Teresa the symbol of undivided love and the model of all the virtues . Mother Teresa saw the Heart of Mary as representative of the highest love and humility before God that any human being could ever seek to attain .
Mother Teresa was fond of the saying of St . Ephraim of Syria ( 306 – 373 ): “ May the spirit of Mary be in every soul to glorify the Lord .” Mother Teresa wished all her sisters and all followers of Christ to entrust themselves to Mary because Jesus gave
12 Sacred Heart Major Seminary | Mosaic | Fall 2016