Come Be My Light

Come Be My Light is a 2007 collection of private letters and spiritual writings by Mother Teresa, the Albanian-born Roman Catholic nun and founder of the Missionaries of Charity. Compiled and edited by Brian Kolodiejchuk, a Missionary of Charity priest and postulator for her canonization cause, the book reveals her profound, decades-long experience of spiritual desolation. Published by Doubleday, its contents ignited widespread international discussion on the nature of faith, suffering, and sanctity in modern religious life.

Background and publication

The letters and documents contained within the volume were written by Mother Teresa to her spiritual advisors, including several archbishops of Calcutta and Jesuit confessors, over a period of more than 66 years. Following her death in 1997, these private writings were gathered as part of the official investigation into her life and virtues for the process of beatification and canonization by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Brian Kolodiejchuk, the postulator of her cause, selected and annotated the materials, intending to provide a deeper understanding of her interior life. The decision to publish was controversial within the Vatican and the Missionaries of Charity, but was ultimately approved, leading to its global release by Doubleday in 2007, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of her death.

Content and themes

The book is primarily composed of personal correspondence to figures like Archbishop Ferdinand Périer and Jesuit father Celeste van Exem, revealing that shortly after beginning her work in the slums of Calcutta, Mother Teresa entered a state of profound spiritual darkness she described as "the darkness," "the loneliness," and "the torture." She expressed feeling a painful absence of God's presence, writing of "dryness," "darkness," and "loneliness" while simultaneously maintaining an unwavering outward commitment to her vows and charitable work. Central themes include the mystical concept of sharing in the Passion of Christ, the theology of the cross, and the idea of "thirst" for souls as a driving spiritual force. Her writings reference classic spiritual concepts from figures like Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and John of the Cross.

Reception and impact

Upon publication, Come Be My Light became an international bestseller and was widely reviewed in major publications like The New York Times, Time, and The Guardian. The revelation of Mother Teresa's inner turmoil surprised the public and many within the Catholic Church, fundamentally altering the popular perception of her as a figure of constant joyful faith. Theologians and commentators, including Christopher Hitchens and various cardinals, debated its implications extensively. For many believers and scholars, it reframed her life as a heroic example of faith persevering through extreme trial, significantly influencing the discourse surrounding her 2016 canonization by Pope Francis.

Controversies and criticism

The book's publication sparked significant controversy, with critics arguing that the release of private spiritual correspondence was a violation of Mother Teresa's own wishes, as she had requested many letters be destroyed. Some secular critics, such as Christopher Hitchens, cited the letters as evidence of hypocrisy or a crisis of belief, suggesting her public image was a facade. Within the Catholic Church, some theologians questioned the editorial framing by Brian Kolodiejchuk, debating whether the "dark night" described was a classical dark night of the soul as experienced by John of the Cross or a more pathological form of depression. The Missionaries of Charity initially expressed concern over the potential for misinterpretation of their founder's spiritual trials.

Legacy and influence

Come Be My Light has secured a lasting place in modern religious literature and the study of Christian spirituality. It provided the crucial theological and personal dimension that underpinned Mother Teresa's official recognition as a saint, with Pope Benedict XVI referencing her "dark night" in his homily for her beatification. The book continues to be a primary text in discussions on the relationship between spiritual aridity and charitable action, influencing contemporary writers and thinkers across faith traditions. It remains a pivotal work for understanding the complex interior life of one of the most iconic religious figures of the 20th century, studied in seminaries, universities, and spiritual reading groups worldwide.

Category:2007 books Category:Books about Mother Teresa Category:Doubleday (publisher) books Category:English-language books Category:Christian literature