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Foreword

The book you hold in your hands is itself the fruit of an encounter — one that took place years ago, as you will read, through the mediation of a photograph on the cover of a paperback book. As Providence would have it, that seemingly insignificant occurrence progressively involved Father Joseph Langford in Mother Teresa’s life and work, to the point of founding with her the Missionaries of Charity Fathers, something for which I personally am particularly grateful. Throughout the years, he has prayed, reflected, and written on the charism — spirituality and mission — given to Mother Teresa for her religious family, striving to discover and articulate its depths and implications, something Mother Teresa herself did not do. This book can be said to be a synthesis of his work. It lays a groundwork for others to follow and build upon, for, as we discovered through her private letters contained in Come Be My Light,^† Mother Teresa’s charism, like her holiness, contains unsuspected profundity yet to be fully appreciated.

With his distinctive style and gift of eloquence, Father Joseph delves into the questions about Mother Teresa that shaped his own spiritual journey since that first encounter with her — and through her, with God — thirty-six years ago. In Secret Fire, he not only presents his reflections on what made Mother Teresa who she was and how we, too, can become who we are called to be, but provides meditations that have been a source of grace to many over the years.

The fire in Mother Teresa’s heart, born of her encounter with the thirst of Jesus, expressed itself by “love in living action” (to use one of her favorite expressions). Her heart was filled with love, affection, compassion, and mercy, which was made concrete through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy that make up the charitable work of the Missionaries of Charity. Fr. Joseph Langford’s book helps us to understand, appreciate, and live this in our own response to the thirsting love and mercy that God has for each one of us.

In the last years of her life, Mother Teresa would exhort those she met, either individuals or groups, to take up the challenge to strive after holiness: “I want — I will — with God’s grace — be — holy.” May these pages enrich that striving and encourage you on your way.

Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C.

Postulator

Director, Mother Teresa Center

Editor, Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light

^† Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, edited and with commentary by Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C. (New York: Doubleday, 2007).