A few years ago, I would have considered it unlikely to meet a living saint, let alone witness their canonization. The Catholic Church's canonization process has historically been lengthy and intricate.
However, I was fortunate enough to attend the canonization of Saint Mother Teresa (Saint Teresa of Calcutta) in 2016. I had met her once in 1992 as a 12-year-old boy during a trip to Kolkata with my family. The Missionaries of Charity were familiar to me from childhood, as they had a home next to my school in Goa.
Mother Teresa dedicated her life to serving others, believing in the dignity and worth of every individual. For over 50 years, she tirelessly cared for the sick and destitute. Becoming a nun at just 18, she ventured to Kolkata to start her missionary work as a teacher. Despite numerous challenges, she left the Loreto convent to follow what she called her "call within a call", to serve the poorest of the poor.
In 2016, on the eve of Mother Teresa's canonization, I interviewed Fr. Alexander Sherbrooke, Parish Priest of St. Patrick's, Soho Square, London, for my podcast series Talking Faith on Heavens Road Catholic FM. Drawing from his extensive time with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries, Fr. Alexander provided valuable insights into her personality.
After nearly nine years, these excerpts offer a glimpse into the distinct qualities that made Mother Teresa an extraordinary saint.
Lavoisier: When did you first meet Mother Teresa?
Fr. Alexander: I first met Mother 33 years ago as a seminarian in Rome. I used to visit the sisters regularly each week. I arranged for Mother to come and speak at the seminary, giving a spiritual conference to the seminarians. That initial meeting was memorable.
Lavoisier: Could you share some of your experiences of your association with Mother Teresa?
Fr. Alexander: Well, obviously beforehand, I was very conscious that I was meeting an extraordinary woman. But as I got to relate with her, I realized that she was a very down-to-earth person. She was deeply committed to the mission of the Church, and determined, as she said, to satiate the thirst of Jesus for the love of the poor. So, with Mother, it was a quite simple relationship. There was nothing complicated. There was nothing nuanced. It was very straightforward.
Lavoisier: What did Mother Teresa mean when she spoke about the poverty of love?
Fr. Alexander: God creates us out of love. Knowing we are unconditionally loved, beautiful, and unique in His eyes defines our identity. Denial of this love leads to human diminishment and spiritual impoverishment. Mother Teresa often highlighted spiritual poverty, most prevalent in affluent Western cities like London, Paris, and New York, where material wealth masks a lack of awareness of being known and loved by Christ. This, she believed, constituted the truest form of spiritual poverty.
Lavoisier: You spoke about Western society. Would you say it is quite challenging to practice that sort of deep love that she spoke about?
Fr. Alexander: It is particularly challenging because the world is full of seductions and full of blandishments. I mean, here we are sitting in the middle of the West End of London, surrounded by shops, restaurants, pubs, clubs, theatres, all promising heaven upon earth. Mother Teresa saw a stark contrast. She viewed being with the poor as a profound privilege, noting their openness and ability to speak of Jesus' love unencumbered by material attachments like iPhones. For her, embracing simplicity and serving the poor allowed one to truly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Mother Teresa passionately advocated for a life immersed in the sacraments, emphasizing their role in bringing individuals closer to Jesus. Each instance of receiving the sacraments, whether it was attending Mass, seeking confession, or praying, was seen as a sacred moment to experience the profound love of Christ. Her teachings underscored the transformative power of these rituals in fostering a deep spiritual connection, contrasting sharply with the distractions and superficial promises of modern urban life.
Lavoisier: Mother Teresa mentioned three visions where Our Lord spoke directly to her with conviction in 1947. By 1950, amidst expanding missionary work, she described a profound sense of loss and spiritual darkness, feeling a continual longing for God and a profound absence of His presence. What can you tell us about her crises of faith?
Fr. Alexander: These experiences of visions and spiritual darkness, recorded in her posthumous writings, are distinct. Mother Teresa initially felt God's intense unconditional love, notably during her journey to Darjeeling. Subsequently, she endured decades of profound spiritual darkness, lasting perhaps 50 years. It is theologically referred to as the “dark night of the soul,” experienced by saints like John of the Cross and Thérèse of Lisieux. This darkness challenges us to deepen our relationship with God, as He calls us to intensify our love for Him, unveiling His mysterious purposes. Few in the history of the Church have encountered such a profound spiritual night.
Lavoisier: Would you describe Mother Teresa as tough, passionate, and persistent in your interactions with her?
Fr. Alexander: She was remarkably determined, driven by her conviction that God had called her to this charism. Her unwavering commitment stemmed from her belief that failing God’s work was unacceptable. While her actions were daring in human terms, she trusted in God's guidance over worldly assurances. Leaving the comfort of the convent to serve among the poor, adopting the sari and a radical lifestyle, demonstrated immense bravery. The Church recognized her divine calling, affirming her mission to serve without hindrance.
Lavoisier: Do you think that the vow of poverty was taken to an extreme level with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity?
Fr. Alexander: In essence, poverty is relative. You can live in a castle with worldly wealth yet experience radical poverty, while someone in a squat with few possessions may live a rich life. What matters most is one's freedom for God, how much you trust in His providence and dedicate yourself to Him. This profound trust requires a spirit of poverty. Consider the rich young man in the Gospels, who, despite his material wealth, could not love Jesus wholeheartedly. Jesus loved him deeply but saw his divided heart. Our prayer should be for an undivided heart, wholly devoted to loving Jesus more than anything else. This inner poverty, detached from worldly attachments, allows us to trust in God's care, protection, and guidance towards eternal life.
Lavoisier: What do you think you have learned from Mother Teresa?
Fr. Alexander: Oh, many things. Despite crowds, she focused intensely on individuals, showing genuine love and hope for them to experience Jesus' love. Her simplicity in communication taught others to engage meaningfully with people amid daily challenges, contrasting with the common neglect people often face.
