Mother Teresa and Catholic Humanitarian History: 1981 Signed Letter Discussing Her Work Among the Dying and Religious Education for Children

Anti-Abortion Mother Teresa

Manuscript & Autographs

Typed letter signed, dated January 30, 1981, discussing Mother Teresa's humanitarian work and the preparation of a book introducing her life and religious convictions to children. Written shortly after Mother Teresa received the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize, the letter urges its recipient to explain her work through direct, accessible storytelling rather than formal biography. Particular attention is given to her care for dying and destitute people in Calcutta and her opposition to abortion and euthanasia, positions that formed part of her public Catholic advocacy. The correspondence records how an admirer sought to communicate Mother Teresa's religious principles and humanitarian activities to younger readers during a period of growing international recognition.
Typed letter signed. Park Cottage, Robertsbridge, Sussex, United Kingdom, January 30, 1981. Two pages, measuring 8 x 6 inches, on personal letterhead, signed in blue marker. The writer encourages the recipient to proceed with a proposed book: “You just go quietly ahead...just trying to work out how children may best me [sic] induced to appreciate Mother’s work and to love her.” The letter suggests beginning with children's questions: “Start your book by imagining that you’re sitting down with some children...and they ask you: ‘Who is this Mother Teresa everyone’s talking about? How come she’s so famous? What’s she at?’” The writer then advocates a personal, explicitly religious treatment of Mother Teresa's mission: “Write it out of your heart, not your head; God sends such souls in dark times like these to keep faith alive, doing all her crazy things like bringing dying men in from the streets to have just a few minutes when they are loved and wanted before leaving this world... Make children see that this lunacy makes sense whereas the sense of the abortionists and mercy kills makes lunacy.” A postscript refers to separate correspondence from Mother Teresa herself: “What an enchanting letter from Mother, I love her style, and her resolution in not allowing a typewriter in the house.” The referenced letter from Mother Teresa is not included in the material described.
The letter was written approximately fifteen months after Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize, when her work through the Missionaries of Charity had attracted international attention. Founded in Calcutta in 1950, the religious congregation established homes for the dying, orphanages, and other charitable institutions, while Mother Teresa publicly defended Catholic teachings concerning the sanctity of human life. The writer's proposed children's book sought to connect these positions with specific examples of her ministry, particularly her care for people dying in the streets. The postscript is also noteworthy for its reference to a letter received from Mother Teresa and her reported refusal to allow a typewriter in the house. Two small stray blue marks on the second page; otherwise in very good condition. A signed contemporary account of efforts to introduce Mother Teresa's work and religious convictions to children following her Nobel Peace Prize.

Item #15215

Price: $325.00