(Letter of Mother Teresa to Archbishop Périer)

Your Grace,

Why is it that everybody is good to us?--I have no answer but one deep gratitude....

There is so much contradiction in my soul.--Such deep longing for God--so deep that it is painful--a suffering continual--and yet not wanted by God--repulsed--empty--no faith--no love--no zeal.--Souls hold no attraction--Heaven means nothing--to me it looks like an empty place--the thought of it means nothing to me and yet this torturing longing for God.--Pray for me please that I keep smiling at Him in spite of everything. For I am only His--so he has every right over me. I am perfectly happy to be nobody even to God....

Your devoted child in Jesus Christ,

M. Teresa, MC

(Blessed Mother Teresa, Come Be My Light, pp 169-170)