That very passage was on the mind of Alan Sears, president and CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom International. He told CNA that "there can be no true peace as long as any society is committed to the taking of life, especially in the womb."
"For too long," he said, "abortionists and their allies promoted and profited from infanticide throughout Europe with few to stand against them. ADF International was formed to advance Mother Teresa's legacy, and to advocate for life in courts, government chambers and in the courtroom of public opinion across the globe."
Sears added that aside from her work with and for the poor, Mother Teresa "was also an outspoken advocate for the protection of life -- from the unborn to the sick and dying – and the family."
He stressed that ADF International "seeks to honor her legacy by defending the sanctity of life, family and marriage, and religious freedom at international organizations like the United Nations."
Mother Teresa, he said, "was the perfect example of how God's truth, when conveyed with grace and love, can bring peace to all."
For Sears, religious freedom must be continually defended "to ensure that all are free to spread that same message."
Msgr. Maasburg added that Mother Teresa's spirituality is something that needs more examination and understanding.
This spirituality is one that suffered the "darkness of the soul," as other saints before her. This is "a mystical experience," Msgr. Maasburg said. Sometimes saintly people receive it as "a particular gift from God."
"It allows them to share in the redemption of mankind which has distanced itself from God through sin," he explained.
Mother Teresa's experience "will not teach us how 'to get out' of this darkness, (but) it can help us to bear it if we are granted the honor to experience it."
"It is certainly not an easy experience," he said. In her letters, the nun described this experience as "the absence of God."
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"(To) remain faithful in this suffering has a deeply spiritual effect on souls," the monsignor said.
Andrea Gagliarducci is an Italian journalist for Catholic News Agency and Vatican analyst for ACI Stampa. He is a contributor to the National Catholic Register.