Mother Teresa: a biography

THE JOY OF BEING POOR
Throughout the early years of her congregation’s existence, Mother
Teresa continued to work hard. Up before any of her nuns and often toil-
ing long after they had gone to bed, she never ceased to work. There was
always something to do, whether it was persuading those with much to part
with some of their goods, overseeing the everyday activities of the Mother-
house, or writing a history of the congregation. She appeared tireless, full
of good cheer and ready to move on to the next task. For members of her
congregation, she was nothing short of a marvel. As one sister explained,
it was as if the constitution of the congregation was being acted out before
their eyes. Mother Teresa exemplified for the order the joy of being poor,
working hard, and having strong faith in God’s providence.
No task was too menial or disgusting for Mother Teresa to undertake.
One sister, repelled at the thought of cleaning the toilet, hid herself away.
Mother Teresa passed by, not noticing the Sister in the hall. Seeing the
state of the toilet, she immediately rolled up her sleeves and cleaned the
toilet herself. The sister never forgot the experience and applied herself
more fully to her tasks.
From all the sisters, Mother Teresa asked obedience. Those unable to
eat the allotted five 
chapattis
a day were not considered Missionaries of
Charity material and were asked to leave. Other requirements of the order
included speaking English at all times. Those who came to the order with-
out finishing their studies were to complete them in addition to their work
at the Motherhouse.
The nuns made other sacrifices in the face of cultural taboos. For in-
stance, realizing that the congregation needed people with medical train-
ing, Mother Teresa asked some of the first sisters to earn medical degrees
even though studying medicine meant mixing with men under conditions
of unacceptable intimacy. Nevertheless, the women did as they were
asked even though it meant being further ostracized from their families
and cultural traditions.
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M O T H E R T E R E S A

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Mother Teresa asked nothing of others that she would not do herself.
She worked with her sisters and was protective of their well being. She
also continued to trust that God would meet the needs of the congrega-
tion. This faith and devotion to God often rewarded Mother Teresa and
her sisters in amazing ways. On one occasion when there was no food in
the house, a knock came at the door. A woman standing outside had with
her bags of rice. She later told Mother Teresa that she did not have any in-
tention of going there, but for some reason came bringing the rice. That
evening, Mother Teresa and the sisters had their dinner.
In another instance, Father Henry asked Mother Teresa for some
money to print some leaflets. She searched the house and found only two
rupees, which she gladly turned over to Father Henry. As he was leaving,
he remembered a letter that he had brought for her. Opening it, Mother
Teresa discovered a gift of 100 rupees. When a newcomer arrived at the
Motherhouse, there was no pillow available for her; Mother Teresa offered
the young woman hers, but the sisters refused to allow it, stating that she
needed the pillow for her own rest. Mother Teresa insisted and while
doing so, an Englishman appeared at the Motherhouse with a mattress.
He was leaving the country and wanted to know if the sisters would have
any use for his mattress. This and other events demonstrated to Mother
Teresa the power of faith as well as God’s providence when people com-
pletely surrendered their lives into his care.
As the sisters soon learned, there was great joy to be had from small
things when living the life of the poor. One of the first Christmas holidays
celebrated by the group was an example. One sister recalled how on
Christmas morning the sisters awoke to find that the dining area had been
decorated with streamers and balloons; by each place at the table was a
white paper bag with a sister’s name on it. Inside of each bag were letters
from home and gifts from Mother Teresa. All the sisters received pencils;
one remembered gifts of a bar of soap, a clothes peg, St. Christopher and
Miraculous Medals, sweets, and a balloon. The sister remembered how
thrilled she was by the gifts and Mother Teresa’s generosity toward her
congregation.