Unveiling the Turbulent Truth- The Moment Mother Teresa’s Faith Was Temporarily Shaken
When did Mother Teresa lose faith? This question has intrigued many people, especially those who admire the Nobel Prize-winning nun for her unwavering dedication to serving the poor and the destitute. Born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia, Mother Teresa dedicated her life to the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation she founded in 1948. Her selfless work earned her global recognition and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. However, as remarkable as her life was, there were moments of doubt and spiritual darkness that even she had to face. In this article, we will explore the time when Mother Teresa lost faith and how she overcame it.
Mother Teresa’s journey of faith was not without its challenges. During the early years of her missionary work, she experienced a profound spiritual crisis known as the “dark night of the soul.” This period of doubt and spiritual desolation began in the 1960s and lasted for several years. During this time, she felt a deep sense of emptiness and felt as though God had abandoned her.
The exact year when Mother Teresa lost faith is not publicly documented. However, it is widely believed that the crisis started in the late 1960s or early 1970s. During this period, she wrote letters to her spiritual director, Father van Exem, expressing her feelings of desolation and the absence of God’s presence in her life. In one of the letters, she wrote, “I am no longer able to pray. My faith is gone. What is the good of my life without God?”
The crisis was a difficult time for Mother Teresa, and it is understandable that many people would wonder when she lost faith. However, it is crucial to note that losing faith does not necessarily mean giving up on one’s beliefs. Instead, it is a period of deep introspection and questioning that can lead to a stronger, more profound understanding of one’s faith.
Despite her struggles, Mother Teresa never abandoned her mission. She continued to work tirelessly for the poor and the destitute, often drawing strength from the suffering of those she served. In 1976, she even wrote a book titled “Come Be My Light,” which chronicled her experiences during the dark night of the soul and offered hope to others who may be going through similar challenges.
The turning point for Mother Teresa came in the 1980s when she began to experience a gradual return to her faith. She credited this revival to the support of her friends, family, and fellow missionaries. In a letter to a friend, she wrote, “I am beginning to feel the presence of God again. I am beginning to see the light.”
Mother Teresa’s journey through the dark night of the soul serves as a powerful reminder that faith can be fragile and that even the most dedicated individuals can face moments of doubt. However, it is through these challenges that we can grow stronger and more resilient in our beliefs. When did Mother Teresa lose faith? The answer is not as important as the fact that she never lost her commitment to serving others and her unwavering dedication to her faith.
