A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve

This collection of previously unpublished writings by the late Mother Teresa (1910%E2%80%931997) offers welcome spiritual nourishment from the Nobel Peace Prize winner and beloved contemporary saint-to-be. Chapters cover 14 corporal and spiritual works of mercy performed by Mother Teresa and her order, the Missionaries of Charity. Excerpts from Mother Teresa's letters, speeches, and interviews provide insight into her extraordinary compassion and simple wisdom: "Be kind to each other%E2%80%94I prefer you make mistakes in kindness than that you work miracles in unkindness." In simple language, anonymous testimonials from witnesses and recipients of her generosity and love over the decades convey examples of her seemingly limitless compassion for abandoned children, homeless men and women, prisoners, refugees, and all people impoverished in body and spirit. Each chapter closes with a brief reflection and prayer that Mother Teresa used in her devotionals. The book's release date is timed to coincide with Pope Francis's "Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy" and the Vatican's canonization of Mother Teresa to sainthood in September 2016. These reflections, stories, and testimonials will challenge and inspire readers to bear witness to a venerable spiritual legacy. (Aug.)