Faith and Compassion: The Life and Work of Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was one of the most remarkable people to have lived, and the only source of hope and happiness for those she and the Sisters of her order cared for. She lived in the 20th Century so her work is known, her actions are fact. She is not subject to the passing of centuries and the romanticizing, and embellishing, that time and lack of knowledge allows.She was an internationally powerful woman who lived among the poorest and powerless of people. She could summon help from heads of state with a phone call, lecture them on policies she believed were morally wrong when she was their guest, and then return to those no one else would help, touch, or even notice.While most talk about what should be done she did what she believed was her responsibility every moment of her life. She cared for those who needed care unconditionally, and it is this that causes me to place her above the others. There was no we and they, no us and their, for her there were only people who needed care.She was Catholic, I say so what. To categorize her with any confining label is to insult her and her life's work. She did not offer her care based upon religion, or a person's view of their God. She was criticized by The Roman Catholic Church for not converting those she helped, for not seeing that more of those that no one else cared about were baptized.The dandified occupants of The Vatican whose custom tailored frocks would feed hundreds of people were concerned with what was and is of no value, they still pompously howl at the moon that their religion is the only true way. While they were offering a jeweled ring to be kissed, The Mother was caring for a Leper, or for one who was dying, for she believed no one should die alone.One of my favorite stories...One of her buildings was near a shrine, and the Monks wanted her and her inconvenient destitute patients evicted. They wanted nothing to do with leprosy, death, and reality. They brought the appropriate Magistrate to tell The Mother she would have to move. They entered the building and located The Mother tending to a patient. There was a pause, and the Magistrate announced that when the Monks were prepared to do her work, he would ask her to leave. At the time of the visit The Mother was using tweezers to remove live maggots from the face of a person brought in off the street. The fact that no Monk stepped forward is no surprise; the fact that eventually more than one of those same Monks died in her care is the most perfect of ironies, and a great tribute to this woman. Health and well-being bring arrogance. When death approached they sought The Mother's care. There was no doubt she would provide it, she was free from hypocrisy.Mr. Navin Chawla has written eloquently about this wonder of a person before, and this time his words are complimented by the exceptional photography of Mr. Raghu Rai. There are many books about Mother Teresa, and even more that she wrote herself. If you buy only one, this volume gives you her

Faith & Compassion: The Life & Work of Mother Teresa by Raghu Rai & Navin Chawla is a MUST for for the soul seeking! Truly this is the most captivating book I have experienced amongst all of the numerous books on Mother Teresa. The author's articulate biography, along with powerful black & white photography, seizing the endless moments of compassion and love that go on daily at the Missionaries of Charity, are literally God send. The book truly reminds ourselves how much love we are so much capable of giving to one another and to count our blessings, not our worries. I highly recommend anyone to buy this book because it is what any soul needs: a reminder to come back to where home is: love in God.

This book has made me realize that it IS possible to live a life of selfless service to God - even TODAY! Mother Teresa has proved it. The photographs themselves tell the story beautifully but the narrative is good in it's own right. If you are searching for a book to help you find your reason for being, the way to have a closer relationship with God, or the way to true happiness, I believe you won't be disappointed. May God bless

This emotionally moving tribute combines beautiful photography with intriging facts about a modern-day saint in our time.