Reviewed by Peggy Weber for
Catholic News Service
At first glance, one might wonder why these two books were paired for
review. Clearly, there is the "nun" theme but what really unites the two
is the idea of dedication.
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Both books reflect lives of faith and a sincere and inspiring desire to help others and serve God.
In "As I Have Loved you: A Conversation With Mother Teresa" John Scully
truly offers new insights into the holy and saintly nun from India.
One might think that everyone knows everything about Blessed Teresa of
Calcutta. However, Scully really had a unique interview with her and
shares it.
Scully is an Irish journalist who wrote to Mother Teresa in 1992 and
asked for an interview. When Mother Teresa came to Dublin and Knock in
1993 they met and he taped the interview.
Basically, this book highlights her answers with some other information included in each chapter.
The book is clear, well-organized and makes the reader fall in love with Mother Teresa for the first time or all over again.
It is actually quite sweet to read when Scully writes: "I did feel a
strong pang of jealousy when I met Mother Teresa. Her God was different
than mine. She had stumbled upon a God who dances and astonishes. The
love of God had transported her, shattered her, and consumed her like a
fire."
Scully is a great writer and it is worth the purchase of a book to read
his lovely prose. However, the bulk of the book is the wit and wisdom of
Mother Teresa, and that is the reason for the book and the meat of the
matter. It is good stuff!!
"Thank You Sisters: Stories of Women Religious and How They Enrich Our
Lives" is edited by John Feister, editor-in-chief of St. Anthony
Messenger magazine and other periodicals at Franciscan Media.
He incorporates 13 lovely reflections from some talented and well-known
people. The likes of Cokie Roberts, Jesuit Father James Martin and
Franciscan Father Dan Horan give great testimonies as to how women
religious have helped or inspired them.
The book evolved, in part because of the Vatican's doctrinal assessment
of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. This book, though, is
not a refutation, justification or argument.
Rather it is mostly a book of praise and gratitude. It also is an
introduction to the great works of women religious for younger
Catholics. The traveling show that highlighted 300 years of women
religious in America gave a great overview of religious life in America.
This book is a more modern snapshot of the nuns who shaped many in the
world today.
Feister writes: "Younger Catholics today have far less chance of having
ever met, been educated by or worked with a Catholic sister than did
their parents. Sisters simply are more likely to work and live in the
background today. So I thought, why not tell some positive stories of
the profound influence these women had on the people's lives?'"
He said that nuns probably would not brag so he let the authors in this
book do it for them. It is a good mix of voices and stories. Perhaps the
most touching is the tale of the nun who gave sandwiches to those who
forgot their lunch at a Catholic grammar school. It seems to show the
church at its kindest and best.
Weber is a reporter and producer for Catholic Communications for the
Diocese of Springfield, Mass. She also is the mother of two
distinguished Catholic authors: Kerry Weber and Matthew Weber.
"As I Have Loved You: A Conversation With Mother Teresa" by John Scally.
Liguori Press (Liguori, Mo., 2012) 161 pp., $14.99.
"Thank You Sisters: Stories of Women Religious and How They Enrich Our
Lives" by John Feister. Franciscan Media (Cincinnati, 2012) 129 pp.,
$14.99.
