The Courage to Face the "Absence of God": Why Mother Teresa Was Truly Heroic - Teresa's "Darkness" Illuminates Us

1. Where Was the "Heroism"?

Mother Teresa's heroism was not in her illustrious awards or grand achievements. Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, who oversaw the investigation for her canonization, stated, "Her true heroism lies in the 'darkness.'" Despite feeling an absent God and unanswered prayers, she never ceased her service. Behind her smile was a pure, almost naked faith that persisted. This is not "believing because you feel," but a reversed logic of "believing and choosing love even when you don't feel." Catholic Online

2. The Shock of 2007: Letters Revealing "Another Face"

In 2007, the publication of the letter collection 'Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light' revealed to the world that she had experienced "the absence of God" for nearly 50 years. The letters describe a sense of prayers being "thrust back like a knife" and a thirst so profound that it shook her belief in heaven and God's existence. Yet, this internal darkness was kept in silence, while externally, her smile and service continued—this tension was the drama of her life. TIMEFranciscan Media

3. Is the "Dark Night" a Malady or a Gift?

The experience of darkness might sound like "depression" in modern mental health terms. However, recent research and symposiums suggest that Teresa's case should not be reduced to a simple clinical category. Researchers at Loyola University argued that her "dark night" might have been a mystical process that matured her faith and deepened the roots of her service. Her suffering was transformed into a driving force rather than paralysis, thus strengthening her external devotion. Catholic News Agency

4. The Network Spread from Calcutta

Teresa left the Loreto order to respond to a "call within a call" to serve "the poorest of the poor," founding the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. From there, it expanded to include sisterhoods, brotherhoods, priesthoods, and lay associations, establishing bases worldwide to support orphans, the sick, leprosy patients, and the homeless. The philosophy was simple yet radical—"Do small things with great love." Catholic Online

5. The Moment of Canonization and the Buzz on Social Media

On September 4, 2016, "tens of thousands of crowds" gathered in Rome, and the excitement was palpable on X (formerly Twitter). Major media posts conveyed the waves of people filling the square and the progress of the ceremony in real-time, visualizing the festive mood. This visual information confirmed that she was already a "saint in the memory of the people." X (formerly Twitter)

6. Online Conversations About the "Darkness"

Meanwhile, online discussions about the image of Teresa are not monolithic. Posts from Catholic media highlight the shock and comfort her "darkness" revelation brought to the faith community, presenting a context where the dark night experience is seen as "maturation of faith." In contrast, some voices on forums and social media question the medical validity and institutional management of her activities. The coexistence of pros and cons is evidence of Teresa's expansion into a "universal symbol." FacebookX (formerly Twitter)Reddit

7. Reception and Application in the Japanese Context

In Japan, Teresa's "darkness" has been reinterpreted both psychologically and theologically. Research that repositions her gaze on the "Imago Dei" in the context of challenges like a super-aged society, division, and isolation offers ethical insights beyond religion. Maintaining a perspective of dignity even in times of emotional scarcity is a small revolution that can be practiced in caregiving, education, and community welfare. Sophia University Resource Center

8. From "Feeling" to "Choosing"—Our Assignment

The reason Teresa's story resonates is that it embodies the duality of "joy is something you feel" and "joy is something you choose." Knocking on doors with a smile even on nights without response. Continuing to ladle soup even when prayers are dry. This consistency is a quiet counter to the "religion of visibility" in the age of social media. What we can learn is a compassion of will, not governed by the weather of emotions.

9. Conclusion—Darkness Is Not an Endpoint, But a Starting Point

Her "darkness" is not a record of defeat. Rather, it is a record of continuously making space in her heart to respond to someone else's cry while passing through unresponsive nights. Therefore, Teresa's heroism was not in the display of "strength," but in the acceptance of "weakness." Darkness is not an endpoint. It is a quiet starting point to move for someone else. Catholic OnlineCatholic News Agency

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