Book Review: A Call To Mercy

On September 4, 2016, Pope Fracis will declare Mother Teresa to be a saint! My family will be eating naan bread and curry while we watch a replay of the Mass from Rome. I hope this weekend that we take the time to reintroduce ourselves to the quiet spirituality of this amazing Catholic women. Netflix has a fantastic movie called "The Letters" which the journey Mother Teresa took from being a contemplative nun to becoming a servant to the "poorest of the poor" in India.

For adults and teens, I highly recommend the book "A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve" written by Mother Teresa herself. Wonderfully complied and organized by Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC, the postulator of Mother Teresa's cause for sainthood, this beautiful book of short quotations is a new release from Image Books. I found "A Call to Mercy" an accessible and encouraging read. I love that Mother Teresa's thought are categorized by the seven acts of mercy. Pope Francis has asked us to focus on the Year of Mercy. Mother's simple and pragmatic spirituality will kickstart the most harded procrastinator into greater works of mercy.

There are many spiritual books that I keep next to my bible. "A Call to Mercy" is a favorite spiritual book that I'm moving into my kitchen. Reading a few paragraphs feels like finding a bit of rest during a busy day. Mother Teresa's words something feel like I've received a warm hug from her and other times her words sting my conscience like a bee. However, I'm never uninspired by her spiritual outlook on life. I can't think of a better goal for myself during the Year of Mercy than to wear out the spine of "A Call to Mercy" by reading Mother Teresa's words in all kinds of moods and striving to put her clear ideas into my daily actions.

Find "A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve" here or at your favorite Catholic bookstore.