In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories and Prayers

by Mother Teresa

Follows the author as she visits desperate regions of India, Australia, and New York; devotes herself to the needy; and describes her beliefs in selflessness, forgiveness, compassion, and spiritual strength, in a glimpse into the life of one of the beloved heroines of our time. 35,000 first printing. IP.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian, Faith, Catholic, Philosophy

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu[6] (born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, Albanian: [aˈɲɛzə ˈɡɔndʒɛ bɔjaˈdʒiu]; 26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997), honoured in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta,[7] was an Albanian-Indian[4] Roman Catholic nun and missionary.[8] She was born in Skopje (now the capital of North Macedonia), then part of the Kosovo Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire. After living in Skopje for eighteen years, she moved to Ireland and then to India, where she lived for most of her life.

In 1950, Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation that had over 4,500 nuns and was active in 133 countries in 2012. The congregation manages homes for people who are dying of HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis. It also runs soup kitchens, dispensaries, mobile clinics, children's and family counselling programmes, as well as orphanages and schools. Members take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, and also profess a fourth vow – to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor."[9]

Following her death she was beatified by Pope John Paul II and canonized by Pope Francis.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound in both perspective and application - one of the few people who can say that they built a bridge across the shores of religion and ethics. That bridge has to be built strong: if it is not it will collapse under the weight of all the pain the world has, and I believe that once that happens it is almost impossible to rebuild that bridge again.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book was lovely, touching, heart-warming, and encouraging. It is a short collection of some of her thoughts, stories, and prayers. It is excellent for short meditative reads. You can read a paragraph or a couple pages and be fed very rich wisdom.

I found myself reaching for it several times to read the kids a short quote or anecdote from Mother Teresa. Something about her grabs me by the soul, and I know I'm not alone in that. One night after reading a few stories, I found myself searching online to find out whether there are Missionaries of Charity sisters in my city. I had no luck that night, but the very next day saw a short blog post about 4 MC sisters on my diocesan website. Thanks Mother Teresa. :)

I was a freshman in college when Mother Teresa died. I was so moved that, although I was protestant and attending a Baptist college (mostly identifying as a Baptist though raised Lutheran), I clipped out the little photo that was in the newspaper and taped it by my desk. My roommate was bothered; "Was she even a Christian?" This query confused me completely. I couldn't believe someone could think that! I was sad that she had died and really admired her selfless, lifelong work.

Every word I read from her writings is Christian to the core, and makes me want to be a better Christian. God, help me!

"Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile. Smile five times a day at someone you don't really want to smile at at all. Do it for peace. Let us radiate the peace of God and so light His light and extinguish in the world and in the hearts of all men all hatred and love for power. Smile at one another. It is not always easy. Sometimes I find it hard to smile at my Sister, but then I pray."

"Suffering is nothing by itself. But suffering shared with the passion of Christ is a wonderful gift, the most beautiful gift, a token of love."

"I shall keep the silence of my heart with greater care, so that in the silence of my heart I hear His words of comfort and from the fullness of my heart I comfort Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor. For in the silence and purity of the heart God speaks."

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I am not Catholic. However, I recently attended a conference for work where the keynote speaker had spent a summer in Calcutta with Mother Theresa, and she shared some powerful messages about connectedness and serving others. I was fascinated, so looked for a book that was short-ish that would allow me to look into Mother Theresa more without having to devote a lot of time to reading it. This book was a good solution. It's a little over 100 pages, and is filled with wonderful nuggets of wisdom. I only gave this 3 stars, though, because I wanted more than just nuggets of wisdom, and maybe I would find that in a different book. Her "stories" are all only about 2 pages each, and lacking in detail or clear directives for carrying out the vague concepts of kindness and generosity. I would probably enjoy more of a biography.

[Chase L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Souls of prayer are souls of great silence."

[Raquel Pitarch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leer esto transmite mucha paz, además que es súper ligero (lo lees de una sentada). Un libro donde relatan pequeñas historias vividas y oraciones llenas de mucha bondad, humildad, espiritualidad y amor al prójimo. María Teresa de Calcuta aún dejándonos sus anécdotas con grandes enseñanzas.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing needs to be said about this little book containing Mother Teresa's teachings, stories and prayers. It deserves a more in-depth reading and meditation, but my regular confessor lent it to me, so I must return it.

[Jill Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. What a remarkable lady.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, short, uplifting collection of some of Mother Teresea's thoughts. Good for a quick spiritual pick-me up, and some of the encouragement that we so often need.

[Lucille Schaubroeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book as a morning devotional and it was truly beautiful! a great way to shift your focus to what is important as you start the day!

[Hannah Dull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy, must read

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Unread Shelf Project 2019
February: Gifted to You

[Josiah Muhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the most profound things are the simplest truths. This book is short and full of little bits of wisdom which reminds us about the parts of our faith we often neglect.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you think of a compassionate soul, you automatically think of Mother Teresa. In life, she gave so much to people who had nothing, not even hope. Moreover, she did so out of love.

In the Heart of World is a beautifully compiled book that shares the thoughts, stories, and prayers of Mother Teresa. This is one of those books that after you read it, you want to be a better person. You believe that one person can make a difference.

In one of my favorite entries, Mother Teresa mentions that feeding the hungry wasn’t the most important thing to do. Instead, she felt that people were lonely and desperately needed to be loved. That before, she began her work, these people were basically invisible to the rest of the world.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book at a thrift store and was glad I did. This is a small book (a little over 100 pages) , but is packed with great thoughts by Mother Teresa. The book is in 3 sections: her "Thoughts" on topics like compassion, joy, and generosity, her "Stories", which tells tales of people reaching out to each other, and her "Prayers," which some contain Bible verses and some poems or thoughts on them.
This book is a small sized book in appearance and can be used for a daily read (each little chapter is a page or two at most). You don't need to be a God person to get something from the book-it has thoughts and encouragement that anyone could use to help a person want to reach out to society.

[Victoria Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book is awesome very inspirational have a woman dedicated to the Lord our Creator. He created us out of love she totally gives Him all the praise and all the glory and all the honor and devoted her entire life to that and it just blesses me to read it and to continue on living my life in acts of service to the Lord!
I had a first hands on encounter with little sisters of the poor ministry in
Balaclava Jamaica serving in missions for the past three years and just got so touched out there by the sisters and how compassionate they are for what they do! It just changes you having it right in-your-face serving others . Peace and joy to all :)

[Rick Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful devotional resource. The collection of stories, prayers, and reflections by Mother Teresa is in no way shallow, sappy, or sentimental; they are deeply moving, and although short and simple, they offer some profound and challenging thoughts about generosity, humility, sacrifice, joy, kindness, prayer, and many other important facets of Christian discipleship. It's a very usable tool, and something that can, and should, be read over repeatedly. I loved it.

[Peggi Speers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and re-read this book. I keep this by my bedside for when I need to place myself back into the state of love and peace. This book brings me back to center when I've been out in the world too long and doubt and fear start to creep in. It's a gentle, beautiful read...and a gentle, beautiful life.

[Nhunhu Nguyễn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your heart has been hardened by the recent events and disappointing bigotry, soften your soul with these short stories, thoughts, and prayers by Mother Teresa. Allow her to detox you of the world's contaminants by filling your mind with love and compassion. Each piece is more or less a page long.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother Teresa is someone who I have always admired because of her undying love, compassion and understanding of all people. This is a gentle, real world reminder of God's grace experienced in ordinary ways. If we all take a little from these lessons the world would be, in my opinion, a better place.

[Tommy Kiedis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this work is a brief but rich compendium of Mother Teresa's thoughts, stories, and prayers (hers and others). You can read it quickly, but will benefit more by musing on it unhurriedly. Francis Bacon said, "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested." This book is to be chewed and digested.

[Emily Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in about a half hour sitting in the library this afternoon. This little book gives a brief glimpse into the heart of Mother Teresa. It was sweet and poignant and made me want to be a better person.

[Dennise · Rating 4 out of 5]

a feel good heart warming read

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very inspirational book...Mother Teresa has a God-given gift for words and spiritualism. She is my favorite link to God.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An encouraging book!

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

So simple, yet so profound. Her life is truly inspiring. I want to be that selfless and giving.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring, just like the woman she is.

[C.]

great read..profound yet brilliantly simple

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books.

[Todd Mayville · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/0...

[Joanna Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little book of stories, meditations, examples and encouragements to love Christ is His most distressing disguises.

Mother Teresa's style is very simple and winning.