Mother Teresa's Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity [Paperback]

Susan Conroy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

A moving first-hand account of Mother Teresa and her work, written by someone who worked by her side. As an idealistic young volunteer, author Susan Conroy spent a summer serving in one of Mother Teresa's orphanages and in the Home for the Dying. "In a city where I found hell on earth," she says, "I also found each day a deep sense of peace and incredible happiness."

It was an experience that changed her life forever. She learned why Mother Teresa had found real joy in working with the poorest of the poor. Along the way, she took striking photographs that have never been seen before now - photographs that show Mother Teresa at her everyday best. This is an account you won't soon forget, told with simple and loving directness by an eyewitness.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Conroy made her first trip to Calcutta to work with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in 1986. In 1987, at the request of Mother Teresa herself, Susan spent two weeks in the Order's convent in the South Bronx, New York, in contemplation of the religious life. During these two weeks, a time she calls "the most profoundly meaningful experience of my life, " Susan came to know Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who has had as great an impact on Susan's life as Mother Teresa. Susan did not enter the Order, but in 1991, during Lent, she once again returned to Calcutta to work with the Sisters among the dying destitutes.

She and Mother Teresa kept up their correspondence until Mother's death in 1997. Today, in addition to her work as a tax specialist, Susan translates the works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux from French into English for several publishing houses. Mother Teresa's Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity is Susan's first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931709769
• ISBN-13: 978-1931709767
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I knew Mother Teresa throughout the course of 11 years before she was called Home to God. At the age of 21, I flew across the world and showed up at Mother Teresa's doorstep in Calcutta, India to offer my "hands to serve and my heart to love" the Poorest of the Poor. I helped to take care of the babies in the orphanages, and every afternoon I volunteered in Mother Teresa's famous Home for the Dying. This experience changed the course of my life. Amidst the ugliness and death in Calcutta, I found beauty and life. In this hell on earth, I experienced Heaven and I felt that I could touch God.

Before Mother Teresa passed from this life, she gave me her blessing and approval to write a book about my experiences. She told me to do it "for the glory of God and for the good of souls." When a saint tells you to do something, it is best to do it! I am not a writer, I am an Economics major, but I put my whole heart into it and this first book turned into an instant best-seller. It is presently in its 7th printing. One book led to another. I have published 7 books in all, some of which were limited editions. Most recently, I published a translation (from French into English) about "The End of the Present World & the Mysteries of the Future Life." It was originally written by Father Charles Arminjon over 100 years ago, and it is like "a lost treasure" that has been found! Saint Therese of Lisieux, "the Little Flower," who is so widely known and loved as "the greatest saint of modern times," read this book when she was only 14 years old. She drew enormous spiritual profit from it and, before her last breath at the age of 24, she shared: "reading this was one of the greatest graces of my life!"

In recent years, I was given the opportunity to host my own television show on a global television network called EWTN. This show is called "Speaking of Saints." You may see further details at www.susanconroy.com.

I am presently working on the most precious book of my life - about my Mom, whom I miss and love beyond telling. Mama joined the angels in May of 2006 after courageously battling cancer for 21 years. "I shall do everything to gain Heaven, for there is my Home. There I shall find my Mother." (Saint Bernadette)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such a fulfilling read and an inspiring story, April 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mother Teresa's Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity (Paperback)

I so enjoyed this book. The selflessness that one human being can possess is just so humbling for all of us to experience. This book truly kept my interest and was presented in such an remarkable way. The quotes were such a wonderful accompaniment to the sections and the photographs were so helpful to fully understand the true depth of this real-life, real angel and real saint story.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, personal account of Mother Teresa, April 4, 2004

By 

Particular Reader "Particular Reader" (Arlington, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother Teresa's Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity (Paperback)

My spiritual book group chose this book for our book-of-the-month based on a member seeing the author interviewed. We all loved it; I think it's the most popular book we've read in six months. This is not by any means a complete biography, but a much more personal, and touching, portrait told through the eyes of a young woman. My whole family is now reading it based on my recommendation. People of all faiths will enjoy seeing the saint from a fresh perspective.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, Inspring, and Genuine, July 25, 2006

By 

Marjorie Boles - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mother Teresa's Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity (Paperback)

What moved me most about this novel is the genuine change of heart that transformed the author's view of the world. Mother Teresa was powerful in word but moreso in deed. First hand experience with Mother, at age 21, is not a claim many can make and the lasting influence of these experiences and the life lessons resulting are inspiring and real. This is an excellent novel which should have a genuine, positive influence on the hearts of any open minded reader.