Pope Francis will declare Mother Teresa a saint at the Vatican on September 4, when she becomes St. Teresa of Calcutta. In light of her canonization, publishers are bringing to market books by and about Mother Teresa, both new titles and new editions of backlist titles. The releases are timed for that signal event, as well as for Advent and Christmas sales.
St. Teresa of Calcutta: Missionary, Mother, Mystic
This new biography follows the arc of Teresa’s long life—she died in 1997 at the age of 87—from her early years as an obscure nun, to her ministry to the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, international acclaim as the "Saint of the Gutters," the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and beyond. Also covered is Mother Teresa’s relationship with Pope John Paul II, who took the first steps toward declaring her a saint by beatifying her in 2003.
Advent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta: Daily Meditations
This new devotional for women joins themes from the daily readings in the lectionary with anecdotes about and writings by the soon-to-be saint, along with reflections by Saxton, prayers, and suggested questions for study. The devotional will be excerpted in a special edition of Franciscan’s St. Anthony Messenger magazine in September. A page on Franciscan’s site will offer biographical material, real-time reporting of the canonization mass (assisted by Catholic News Service), video and audio samples, prayers, blogs, a photo gallery, and links for users to buy books.
Works Of Love Are Works Of Peace: Mother Teresa Of Calcutta And The Missionaries Of Charity
The softcover version of this large-format book features 187 photographs by Collopy, who also wrote the text. Works of Love Are Works of Peace sold 45,000 copies when it first published in hardcover in 1996, according to Ignatius. Marketing director Anthony Ryan said “it offers the most comprehensive photographic documentation of the apostolic work and prayer life” of Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded in 1948. In addition to advertising and interviews with Collopy in both secular and religious media, Works Of Love Are Works Of Peace will be featured in 750,000 Independent Publishers Group summer and fall catalogs.
No Greater Love Commemorative Edition
With a foreword by Thomas Moore (Care of the Soul), this book was originally published in 1997 and has sold almost 210,000 copies in hardcover and trade paperback editions, according to NWL. In her writings, Mother Teresa contemplates love, prayer, giving, service, poverty, forgiveness, and Jesus, and the book ends with a short biography and an interview with her about working with the poor and the dying. The new edition also includes Pope John Paul II’s homily from Mother Teresa’s Beatification Mass on Oct. 19, 2003.
A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve
This new collection of previously unreleased writings by Mother Teresa is compiled and introduced by Brian Kolodiejchuk, a priest who spearheaded the campaign for Mother Teresa's sainthood and who has written three other books on her. The book covers Mother Teresa’s core themes, such as ministry to the sick and imprisoned. It also includes new testimonials from people who knew Mother Teresa, as well as prayers and practical steps for following her example. According to acquiring editor Gary Jansen, “A Call To Mercy is a living testament to the teachings of a saint who is an icon of God’s compassion for those in need.”
Mother Teresa's Secret Fire
Langford, a trusted friend and co-founder of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity priests’ community, explores the depth of her spirituality in this 2008 book. The paperback version joins OSV’s re-release Langford’s out-of print 2007 book, Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady, which follows Mother Teresa’s example of grace and courage in the face of personal trials. OSV also recently created a Mother Teresa prayer card and a magnet with her message: “My secret is simple. I pray.”
Mother Teresa: The Smile Of Calcutta
This new book is for ages 5 and up and is the latest in Ignatius’s Life of a Saint series, which aims to show children how the saints expressed their love for God and for other people.
Mother Teresa Of Calcutta
For ages 9 and up, Bay encourages kids to practice Mother Teresa’s teaching: “Holiness grows so fast where there is kindness.”
