September 5, 1997: On the Anniversary of the Death & Feast Day of Mother Teresa of Calcutta

The letter, dated 1995, contains a quote to Fr. Kunst which became part of a new stain glass window in the sanctuary of his parish church.

The Papal Artifacts’ Collection is primarily dedicated to artifacts connected to the papacy.  Individual popes, their biographies and multiple items belonging to them, including first and second class relics, make up the majority of this Collection.  But that isn’t all it is.

Father Kunst has a deep devotion to the saints as can be readily seen in viewing the Saints & Blesseds section of this site. We invite you to visit Papal History/Saints & Blesseds to view the many canonized and beatified men and women who make up this section of the Collection.

St. Mother Teresa is one of them.

Not only was the Curator of Papal Artifacts privileged to be at her beatification in 2003, but also, he is the recipient of two personal letters from her.  The following is one of the letters she wrote to him during a time of discernment about his vocation.  

We honor the gift of her life to our Church and are gratified by the gift of compassion shown to “Brother Rich” in this communication to him.

A Letter from Mother Teresa of Calcutta to Father Richard Kunst Dated February 21, 1995.

Father Kunst requested prayers from Mother Teresa during a time of discernment regarding his vocation.

This is a typed letter with a hand-written note from her at the bottom of the letter.

Dear Brother Rich,

Thank you for your letter of the 21st of January 1995. Be sure that I will remember you, especially in my prayers during this difficult time in your life.

As you do not describe to me just what is happening in your mind and heart I cannot give you any special advice. But you did say that you were very disturbed and one thing I know is that disturbance of this sort is the work of the devil. The call and the action of the Holy Spirit bring peace and joy though not without pain, but a deep interior peace that remains through everything. Anxiety, disturbance, restlessness, and such like are from the evil spirit.

You have been studying for a holy vocation, the priesthood, and most probably you have determined to be a holy priest. This is enough to get the devil very busy with you for he knows the tremendous spiritual good that a holy priest can do.

Therefore, you need to pray. Pray much and fervently for the light and strength of Jesus to know and to do the will of God. And you also must be very open, completely open, to your spiritual director or whoever it is that is there to help you discern God’s will. We are not very good judges of our own cases. Expose your doubts and difficulties to someone of holiness and good judgement and you will find that half of them disappear just by being aired.

But above all be convinced of Jesus’ tender love for you in and through this present situation and no matter what its outcome is, listen to Jesus speak in your heart, and say, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” Repeat in your heart often during the day this little prayer which I have taught my sisters: ‘Jesus, in my heart, I believe in your tender love for me. I love you.’

Once again, know that I will be praying for you. Please also pray for our poor, our sisters and for me and remember us all when you come to the altar of God.  

God bless you,

Mother Teresa, MC

In her own handwriting it says, Let us pray, often pray, to our Lady, ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, be Mother to me now.’

 Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Teresa in 2003. Pope Francis canonized her on September 4, 2016.

She was the founder of the Missionary Sisters of Charity.

Saint Mother Teresa, pray for us!

Fr. Richard Kunst & Co-host, Fr. Ryan Moravitz

Here is a wonderful story concerning Mother Teresa which was  told recently on Real Presence Radio

Retired San Diego Bishop Robert Brom is interviewed by Father Richard Kunst & Fr. Ryan Moravitz on Real Presence Radio about the life of a retired bishop.  He was formerly the bishop of Duluth, Minnesota, and was, “a massive influence”on a young seminarian–the Curator of Papal Artifacts.

Bishop Brom is a born story teller and relates in this interview an encounter with Mother Teresa of Calcutta who was deathly ill in La Jolla, California.  Not only did Bishop Brom visit her to pray with her at that time, he was also called upon by the hospital staff when she received a phone call from none other than Pope John Paul II.

We invite you to listen to Bishop Brom as he reveals the details of this wonderful story as well as the details of his life and ministry as a retired bishop.

The interview begins at the 4.05 minute mark.

NOTE: Father Kunst & Father Moravitz are monthly hosts on Real Presence Live Radio.

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta