The word magnanimous comes from the Latin word meaning Great Soul, or Great Spirit. On September 4, Pope Francis will declare Blessed Teresa of Calcutta a saint. She died in 1997, at age 87.
Mother Teresa has been this wonderful woman, a Great Soul and a Great Spirit, radiant beauty shone as clearly in the aged wrinkled face. Mother Teresa appeared calmly and steadfastly in control with her faith in God, giving her a powerful inner peace. She had the quality of “Grace”. Criticism did not bother her, praise did not affect her either; for Mother Teresa to disappear quietly leaving nothing behind her but her good works would have been the finest legacy possible.
Mother Teresa chose her life; chose a life of giving beyond even that of most who share her religious vows. She gave her all, she chose to live her life, greater than any material possessions she could have had. She stood tall in the eyes of God, elegant and beautiful; though she appeared hunched and shriveled. Radiant beauty shone as clearly in the aged, wrinkled face as from the young, smooth ones
Mother Teresa appeared calmly and steadfastly in control, with her faith in God giving her a powerful inner peace. Both shared a quality that might be called “grace”. She neither condescended to, nor judged, those whom she helped. What generosity and what a magnanimous spirit in life! Is it really true we must let go of everything we possess if we truly want to grasp life’s meaning? We invest our faith our riches in life and in normal moments in persons, or in banks. This saint to be invested her life, the most wonderful treasure, wonderful gift of all that is life giving, to the poor of the poorest, that they may live and die in dignity.
