Marlyn Evangelina Monge FSP - Mother Teresa - The Story of the Saint of Calcutta

The Story of the Saint of Calcutta

Written by Marlyn Evangelina Monge, FSP

Illustrations by Seung-bum Park

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017955305

CIP data is available.

Originally published by Pauline Books & Media, Seoul, Korea. All rights reserved.

Illustrated by Park Seung-bum Park Seung-bum

Written by Marlyn Evangelina Monge, FSP

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Skopje [SKO-pyeh], Yugoslavia, in 1915.

Wash up quickly, children, Mama Drana [DRAH-nah] instructed. Your father will be home soon. Twelve-year-old Aga [AH-guh] took her little sister, Agnes, by the hand to help her wash her face. Seven-year-old Lazar [LAH-zahr] followed. When they had finished washing, they heard the front door open and close.

Wheres my little Rosebud? Nikola Bojaxhiu [NEE-ko-lah boy-ah-CHEW] called out.

Papa! Five-and-a-half-year-old Agnes laughed. Then she ran into her fathers outstretched arms. Im right here!

Where are your brother and sister? Papa Nikola asked.

Theyre coming. We were playing a game in the parlor. Lazar was winning, the little girl said with a slight pout.

Papa Nikola smiled and patted her head. I hope you were being a good sport, he said.

I tried to be one. But I do like to win, the little girl replied. Papa, you know what tomorrow is, right?

Tomorrow is Sunday, Papa Nikola said. There is no council meeting, and my business will be closed. But I seem to recall that something special is happening.... He tapped his daughters nose.

Dont you remember? Agnes asked, her eyes opened widely. I make my first Holy Communion tomorrow! Im going to receive Jesus!

How could I forget something so important? her father replied. I just wanted to make sure you remembered!

The next day, at the familys parish church, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Agnes received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time.

After Mass, Agnes could not wait to speak with her mother. I love Jesus so much! When I received him, I felt like he was telling me how much he loves me. I will always love him.

A nice carriage is pulling up! Lazar reported.

That must be your father, Mama Drana replied. Hes been away for so long on business. I didnt know when to expect him home. Mama Drana got up and smoothed her dress. Then she opened the door to greet her husband. But Papa Nikola was not standing outside. Instead there was a man she did not know.

Hello, Madame, the man said. I am the ambassador from Italy. I was with your husband in Ireland

Where is my Nikola? she asked.

Agnes, who was now eight years old, stood behind her mother. She listened to everything the man with the funny accent said.

Hes in the carriage. My driver will bring him in. The man paused. Holding his hat in his hands, he continued. Im sorry to tell you this, Madame Bojaxhiu, but your husband became very sick during the conference. I brought him home in my carriage to keep him as comfortable as possible.

My papa! Agnes thought, tears filling her eyes. I hope Mama can make him better.

But Papa Nikolas health did not improve. Shortly after he was brought home, Papa Nikola was rushed to the local hospital.

Later, Mama Drana sat down with Aga, Lazar, and Agnes and gave them the tragic news. Your papa was very sick. The doctors did all they could to help him. They operated on him, but... She took a shaky breath and continued, Children, your papa has died.

They all cried and hugged one another for a long time. Agnes could not believe her father was gone. Ill miss Papa so much, she said.

What will we do, Mama? Aga asked.

Ill miss your father too. But we must continue as best we can. Well live and act as your papa would want, Mama Drana said. And right now, that means praying together as we do every evening. Who will lead the Rosary tonight? We can pray it for your papas soul and for others who have lost loved ones today.

Agnes dried her eyes. I can lead us tonight, she offered. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit....

Things were not easy for the Bojaxhiu family after Papa Nikolas death. His business partner took over the business. But he did not help to support the grieving family. Mama Drana did some sewing for the neighbors to make money. Teenage Aga helped by working too.

The family struggled in many ways. Still Mama Drana always shared what they had with those who were less fortunate. She often invited the poorer townspeople to join the family for dinner. Mama Drana taught her children to trust in Gods Divine Providence. God would give them what they most needed. He would bless their generosity to others.

One day Agnes, now fourteen years old, walked to Sacred Heart Church after school.

Agnes! one of her friends called out. Where are you going in such a hurry?

Theres a meeting of the Children of Mary Sodality, she replied. Its a group of girls our age. We learn more about living our faith. Today the priest is going to tell us more about missionary sisters and the work they are doing. Do you want to come?

Father Jambrekovic, a Jesuit priest, had started the Children of Mary Sodality. He taught the girls how to know what God wanted for them and many other things. Recently the priest had been speaking about the interesting work that missionary priests, brothers, and sisters did all over the world.