If there was one who demonstrated love, courage, and selflessness in bringing God’s mercy to the world, it was Mother Teresa. The founder of the Missionaries of Charity will be declared a saint by Francis in a Sept. 4 canonization ceremony in Rome.
Mother Teresa, the legendary “Apostle of the Poor” stands as one of the most iconic Catholic figures of the 20th century. In 1946, Mother Teresa heard the voice of Jesus calling her to serve him in the poorest of the poor.
She began working in the slums, teaching poor children, and treating the sick in their homes. A year later, some of her former students joined her, and together they took in men, women, and children who were dying in the gutters along the streets.
In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity as a congregation of the Diocese of Calcutta. Mother Teresa’s work and spirituality went on to draw worldwide admiration. She died Sept. 5, 1997 at the age of 87. She was beatified just six years later by St. John Paul II Oct. 19, 2003.
Mother Teresa’s canonization is the church’s formal proclamation that she is with God and can intercede on behalf of those who pray for her assistance. Sainthood recognizes that she “lived in an excellent way – a heroic way – the Christian life and shows us concretely what the Christian life involves.”
Here is a list of 10 of her best quotes that exemplify her ideology and message of love:
1. Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
2. God doesn’t require us to succeed, he only requires that you try.
3. I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.
4. Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.
5. If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
6. Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
7. I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.
8. We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.
9. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
10. We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.
Susan Sly is a best selling author, work life balance expert, speaker and entrepreneur. She has appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox, Lifetime Television and the CBN. Susan is the mother of five children and resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.
