Book Reviews2 I Loved Jesus in the Night: Teresa of Calcutta, a Secret Revealed

Feb 13, 2009

Book written by: Fr. Paul Murray, O.P.

Back in 2007, the ten-year anniversary of Mother Teresa’s death, it was revealed that she endured what is called the "dark night of the soul." This confused many people with some calling her a "fake," however, Fr. Paul Murray’s little book proves that she endured what several other saints like St. John of the Cross and St. Therese had also gone through. Mother Teresa suffered this spiritual darkness for most of her life, but kept her faith amidst this suffering. Murray had several personal contacts with Mother Teresa and discusses these and other aspects of the spirituality of the dark night of the soul.

Murray defines the dark night of the soul and how it affects people in different ways. Mother Teresa’s spiritual directors and confessors helped her to ensure she did not give into the temptation of doubt. After enjoying personal time with God early on, the dark night was a major test of her faith. As Murray writes quoting St. John of the Cross, "this dark night of the soul was a sign of God’s presence which is bestowed on special and holy people or saints."

Though she felt this darkness, Mother Teresa always encouraged everyone to smile even in the face of horrible situations like while working with people living and dying in extreme poverty and illness.

It is hard to explain how one could smile and be happy while spiritually enduring the dark night. Some accused Mother Teresa of being a fraud because she smiled and encouraged others to do that too. She encouraged others to be strong in their faith even in the dark night. She had her moments of doubt and wonder, but she did not give into them.

This is a small book which should not be quickly read, but reflected upon instead. This book is highly recommended to those interested in Mother Teresa and the dark night of the soul.

Fr. Paul Murray is a Dominican priest from Ireland who is a professor in Rome at the University of St. Thomas otherwise known as the Angelicum. He is the author of several books and gives retreats and lectures.