by Leo Maasburg
Mater Amabilis™ recommends three biographies of twentieth-century saints to complement the modern history studies in Level 4, eighth grade.
Though I have three excellent saint books for Level 4 from First Son's eighth grade year, I wanted to find a biography of St. Teresa of Kolkata for First Daughter to have as an option.* (Knowing her, she'll read them all.) I read Spink's biography a few months ago and decided it was too fact-filled. Our library had this book by Father Leo Maasburg which I checked out before it closed for the pandemic.
It's fantastic! It's lively and filled with personal stories about Farther Maasburg's experiences and reflections on his time with Mother Teresa. The stories cover her vast travels, deep spirituality, and humble spirit. There are plenty of snippets of her advice and wisdom.
Cleaning is life-sustaining. And everything that sustains life comes from the Holy Spirit. So by cleaning we encounter the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives!There are also plenty of stories that show what life was like for Mother Teresa in the midst of her extensive ministry as for the Missionaries of Charity. In those, Fr. Maasburg reveals her responses to the questions and concerns raised by those who found themselves in her presence or by reporters.
Once, when we were discussing whether it was right to give all that help without any recompense, Mother Teresa said, "Many people say, 'Mother Teresa, you are spoiling the poor, because you give everything free of charge.' But no one spoils us as much as God Himself."I loved Fr. Maasburg's personal stories: times Mother Teresa prompted him to go outside his comfort zone, times she naively entered a country and accomplished the impossible with nothing but her prayers and some miraculous medals, times when they responded to sorrow and pain with comfort and joy.
She herself once gave us the answer when she spoke about dealing with insults: "If someone accuses you, ask yourself first: Is he right? If he's right, go and apologize to him. If he's not right, then take the insult that you have received in both hands. Don't let it go but seize the opportunity and give it to Jesus as a sacrifice. Be glad that you have something valuable to give Him."Humor and surpassing joy surface again and again. The Sisters always treat those who die in their care according to their own faith and pay for those services, whatever they may be. Once a Bishop found himself locked out of his residence and asked if he could stay the remainder of the night at the House for the Dying.
Mother Teresa reflected for a moment and then agreed, but on one condition: "Promise me you won't die. The burial of a bishop would be much too expensive for us."This is a perfect biography for Level 4. Without being too boring or depressing, it explores Mother Teresa's mission and spirituality through Fr. Maasburg's personal memories of his time with the saint. I think it's a wonderful introduction to her life and would encourage exploration deeper into her spirituality for an interested student. I think I've now read five or six books on Mother Teresa, but this one is my favorite.
* For those that are interested, the three biographies First Son read were: John Paul II: A Personal Portrait of the Pope and the Man by Ray Flynn, A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division by William L. Maher, and The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: Fr. Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma by Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda.
I have received nothing in exchange for this honest review. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I borrowed this book from our library.
