“Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”
- August 26, 1910 – September 5, 1997
- Albanian
- Catholic nun and saint
- Founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, and won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in supporting the poor, sick, and orphans
table of contents
Quote
“Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mother Teresa emphasizes the transformative power of joy in both personal and spiritual life. She suggests that joy is not just an emotional state, but a form of prayer and strength, deeply intertwined with love. For her, joy was not just happiness in the conventional sense, but a spiritual force that could empower individuals to act with compassion and kindness. Joy becomes a tool for drawing others closer to love and faith, serving as a “net” to capture the hearts of people.
Historically, Mother Teresa’s ministry was rooted in the context of extreme poverty and suffering, yet she found a deep sense of joy in serving others. For her, the act of selfless giving was a way to find strength and spiritual fulfillment. Her joy came from seeing the divine in others, and it fueled her tireless work with the poor and sick. This profound joy became a foundation for her compassion and was a means of spreading love to those in need.
In modern society, this quote reminds us that joy and love are not mere feelings but powerful forces that can uplift others. Whether through acts of kindness, community service, or simply offering support to those around us, joy can act as a source of strength and connection. For example, a teacher who approaches their work with joy can inspire and uplift their students, while someone volunteering at a shelter can offer love and warmth to those in need, effectively “catching souls” through their compassion.
