A new biography of Mother Teresa of Calcutta written by an Irish author has just been published.Mother Teresa: The Irish Connection by John Scally, which has just been published by Poolbeg, recalls the extraordinary life of Mother Teresa, who is regarded as being on the fast track to sainthood.
The book marks the 100th anniversary of the birth on August 26 1910 of the extraordinary nun who was a native of Albania but who initially chose to join the Irish order, the Loreto Sisters, and spent time as a novice in Dublin.
The book contains an interview, which has never before been published, and which the author had with Mother Teresa in which she revealed her love for Ireland and her wishes for peace on this island.
The book contains an interview, which has never before been published, and which the author had with Mother Teresa in which she revealed her love for Ireland and her wishes for peace on this island.
In his book, Mr Scally has drawn together the strands of her Irish connections and spoke to many well-known Irish people about their encounters with Mother Teresa and her abiding influence on their lives.
They include the Bishop of Elphin, Dr Christopher Jones who recalls his meeting with Mother Teresa, and the late army Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and Roscommon footballer Dermot Earley, who gave his impressions of Mother Teresa.
Other Irish people who revealed to the author that Mother Teresa influenced them and who contributed to the book include Cardinal Seán Brady, Fr Brian D’Arcy, broadcaster Mary Kennedy, Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, Fr Peter McVerry, Gay Mitchell MEP, Arnold O'Byrne, John O'Shea, Kathy Sinnott, Senator Feargal Quinn and Bishop Willie Walsh.
They include the Bishop of Elphin, Dr Christopher Jones who recalls his meeting with Mother Teresa, and the late army Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and Roscommon footballer Dermot Earley, who gave his impressions of Mother Teresa.
Other Irish people who revealed to the author that Mother Teresa influenced them and who contributed to the book include Cardinal Seán Brady, Fr Brian D’Arcy, broadcaster Mary Kennedy, Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, Fr Peter McVerry, Gay Mitchell MEP, Arnold O'Byrne, John O'Shea, Kathy Sinnott, Senator Feargal Quinn and Bishop Willie Walsh.
The book also covers major points in her life, such as her being accorded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979.
When she first came to Ireland in 1928 Mother Teresa began a love affair with Ireland that continued right up to her death.
When she first came to Ireland in 1928 Mother Teresa began a love affair with Ireland that continued right up to her death.
She returned to Ireland many times and was given the Freedom of Dublin City in 1993.
At the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland, she sent a group of Sisters armed just with bedrolls and a violin to Belfast to help "in whatever little way" they could.
Even after her death, her Irish connections remain as her sisters continue work in Dublin, Blarney, Co. Cork, Sligo and Armagh.
This month marks the centenary of the birth of Mother Teresa.
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At the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland, she sent a group of Sisters armed just with bedrolls and a violin to Belfast to help "in whatever little way" they could.
Even after her death, her Irish connections remain as her sisters continue work in Dublin, Blarney, Co. Cork, Sligo and Armagh.
This month marks the centenary of the birth of Mother Teresa.
SIC: CIN