A good book for your prayer group

Father Joseph Langford, M.C.’s book, Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady, Sharing Mother Teresa’s Mystical Relationship with Mary, is worth more than its small size would seem to suggest.

Langford introduces us to Mother Teresa’s relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary, who said to the foundress of the Missionaries of Charity: “Take care of them – they are mine. – Bring them to Jesus – carry Jesus to them. – Fear not. Teach them to say the Rosary – the family Rosary and all will be well. - Fear not – Jesus and I will be with you and your children” (20).

From that initial vision on the train to Darjeeling in 1946, Mother Teresa remained close to Our Lady and encouraged her spiritual children to do the same.

Langford explores the way that Mother Teresa’s example leads us to imitate her love of and devotion to the Mother of God so that we might come to know what Mother Teresa knew so well: “In the silence of the heart God speaks” (57).

This short book, composed of eight chapters, would be ideal for a book club or a prayer group to read and discuss together. It will be a helpful read for those who are interested in Marian spiritual and for those well familiar with the teachings of St. Louis de Montfort. There is something is this little book for everyone.

The book also has several very useful appendices exploring Mary’s role in the New and Old Testaments, as well as the first narration of the apparitions of Our Lady at Guadalupe.