Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 9

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Memorare: Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen (mention request here…) Mother’s Devotion to Radiating the Joy and Love of Christ: Mother Teresa impressed all around her and all she met with her joyful countenance and cheerful disposition. This was both an unconscious result of the presence of Christ within her (even though SHE could not feel Him!) AND her conscious choice “to keep on smiling in spite of everything.” In fact, back in 1957 she made a resolution “to become an apostle of Joy-to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus through joy.” A priest who knew her well for years testified: “I was often amazed that someone who lived so much face to face with suffering people and went through a dark night herself, still could smile and make you feel happy…I believe that I can say that I felt in God’s presence, in the presence of truth and love.” Mother was always quick with a smile and sometimes with a dry humor like during this speech in 1977: “I remember some time ago a very big group of professors…asked, Tell us something that will help us. And I said, Smile at each other. I must have said it in a very serious way, I suppose, and so one of them asked me, Are you married? And I said, Yes, and I sometimes find it very difficult to smile at Jesus because He can be very demanding.” Prayer: Father, it can be hard to always give a smile and a kind word to those we meet, to those we live with, even to those we love! Thank you for giving us the example of Mother Teresa who smiled through such interior struggles and her daily encounter with poverty and sickness. We ask that Mother help us from heaven to become apostles of joy by keeping our inner joy whatever our outward circumstances. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who helps us to trust in the promises of your Son, Jesus. Amen In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.