Mother Teresa’s ‘spiritual darkness’ was not depression or loss of faith, scholar explains

[Michie]

The “spiritual darkness” that Mother Teresa describes in her writings can be difficult to comprehend, but this feeling of emptiness was not caused by either depression or a loss of faith, according to a lecturer at an academic conference organized by the Mother Teresa Institute.

St. Teresa of Calcutta’s “dark night of the soul” was a distinct charism that helped her build her faith and serve others rather than a mere chemical imbalance that induces depression or an abandonment of the Catholic faith, said Loyola University Maryland philosophy professor Derek McAllister at a Sept. 6 symposium held at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., one day after the saint’s feast day.

“If it’s a mental emotional problem, they do not of themselves promote virtue or increase depth of relationship with God,” McAllister said. “Whereas we know with the dark night, the nights do of themselves greatly increase love, humility, patience, and the like. And they decidedly prepare one for deeper prayer.”

Continued below.

Scholar: Mother Teresa’s ‘spiritual darkness’ not depression

St. Teresa of Calcutta’s “dark night of the soul” was a distinct charism that helped her build her faith and serve others, according to Professor Derek McAllister.

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[Bob Crowley]

I think the "dark night of the soul" sufferered by some rarified saints is an identification with Christ's abandonment by the Father.

Matthew 27:26 "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani!" was uttered by Christ at His lowest point, and I think these saints undergo a similar sense of abandonment.

All they can do is stay there.

 

[fide]

I think the "dark night of the soul" sufferered by some rarified saints is an identification with Christ's abandonment by the Father.

Matthew 27:26 "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani!" was uttered by Christ at His lowest point, and I think these saints undergo a similar sense of abandonment.

All they can do is stay there.

I believe the Father never abandoned Jesus, nor ever could abandon Him: the Trinity is eternal and can never be separated. Also, in the Incarnation Jesus said:

John 8:29 And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him."

In His Sacred humanity, Jesus could feel abandoned, yet in His divinity knew He and the Father and the Holy Spirit are eternally One.
So also we, as you said, in the darkness of the Dark Night can and will sometimes feel abandoned - yet we can by Holy Faith know in our hearts that He will never leave us or forsake us. Thus Jesus counseled us, in very troubling times, Let not your heart be troubled.

John 14:1 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

 

[WarriorAngel]

The scarier the darkness is, the more you seek the Lord.
Till your absolute faith and love are alllllllllllllll about Him.

Hand it to the Lord, and let Him mold you into His servant.

It's just darkness unless you want only His will.

 

[WarriorAngel]

 

[RileyG]

I think the "dark night of the soul" sufferered by some rarified saints is an identification with Christ's abandonment by the Father.

Matthew 27:26 "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani!" was uttered by Christ at His lowest point, and I think these saints undergo a similar sense of abandonment.

All they can do is stay there.

I agree. She essentially tasted Christ’s sorrow.

 

[RileyG]

The scarier the darkness is, the more you seek the Lord.
Till your absolute faith and love are alllllllllllllll about Him.

Hand it to the Lord, and let Him mold you into His servant.

It's just darkness unless you want only His will.

Well said.