All language subtitles for The.Letters.2014.1080p.WEBRip.x264-RARBG.Eng

A beam of light came
from the picture.

I felt no pain.

The tumor was here.

But it's gone.

MAN :
The Canadian prime minister
visited Britain today

and, after a stop-off
at Parliament,

had tea in the afternoon with
the queen at Buckingham Palace.

Tomorrow, he heads to Montreal.

In other news, the Vatican
has recognized as a miracle

the healing of a tumor
in the abdomen of an Indian
woman named Monica Besra

following the application
of a locket containing
Mother Teresa's picture.

The spokesman in Rome
said it was the first
of two verified miracles

needed before Mother Teresa
can be canonized a saint.

This darkness she felt,
that she wrote about,

apparently began back in '48

about the time she began
her work with the poor.

It went on for pretty much
the last 50 years of her life.

MAN: She had been working
with the poor for two years

when this picture was taken.

The sadness of the work
had taken its toll on her--

an untold darkness,

loneliness,

a continual longing for God.

She had this feeling
that God had abandoned her.

And except for me
and a few other priests--

and of course
the Archbishop of Calcutta,
Ferdinand Périer--

no one knew about
her feeling of isolation.

Can I get you something, Ben?

No, no.

Not a thing, Father.

You see, what would
pain me the most

was her feeling that
there was no God in her.

That's the way she would put it.

And she would say

her longing was so strong
that it felt to her
like torture.

It seemed as if
there was nothing
I could do to help her.

This picture was taken

where Mother Teresa taught.

It was taken in 1946.

I keep it here
because it reminds me
of where it all began.

Can I take a closer look?
Sure.

And that's the school?
Yes.

It has quite a history.

Can you tell me
a little more
about the school

and the time that she was there?

Well, her years
at Loreto teaching,

it was wonderful years for her.

She would say
she loved teaching
most of all.

Her life would later
be totally dedicated
to the poor,

but she was first
and foremost a teacher.

WOMAN:
People have been suffering.

And this starvation, hmm?

This starvation has brought
thousands of refugees
onto the streets of our city.

Really, we are living through

one of the most turbulent times

in the history of Calcutta.

Shubashini.

My mother says she is
very, very frightened.

There are riots going on
outside my house.

I feel safe here
inside the convent walls,

but I'm really worried
about my mother and my family.

Well, it's true
that these tensions
have got worse

since India is preparing
for independence.

This has created the violence,

but it is between
the Hindus and Muslims.

It really has nothing to do
with your family.

I don't really think
you have to worry.

But I'm still scared, Sister.

Well, try not to be, hmm?

This will all
resolve itself soon,
we hope-- we pray.

Right. We must finish.

Sister, do you have a minute?

Yes, Deepa.

Sister,
aren't you worried?

No.
Trust in God, Deepa.

He's watching over us.

Sister, but my father says
that the Christians in India
are a minority

and anything can happen to them,
given what's been going on.

That's why my father
wants me to stay here,

inside the walls
of the convent grounds--

so that I'm safe here--

and not return home
until all this is over.

Hmm. Well, he's quite right.
I agree with him.

You are safe here, hmm?

But if you have any more
questions, you can always
talk to Father van Exem.

Hmm?
Okay.

In the meantime,
try not to worry.

Hmm?

Sister.

Thank you.

Thank you, Sister.

Someone sick, Sister?

No.

Do you want me
to take some food
to their room?

No. I'll take care of it.
Thank you, Sister.

What are you doing
out here, Sister? It's not
safe for you to be out here.

These people
are hungry, desperate.

You need to get back
inside the convent.

But I wanted to take
these people some food.

Yes, yes.

Sister, last week,
for three days,

Hindus and Muslims rampaged
through a neighborhood
not far from here.

They killed
anyone they found
on the opposite side.

The troops had to restore order.

You cannot come
out here again, Sister.
Do you understand?

You need to get back
inside the convent.

Please pray that peace
will be restored.

Yes, I will pray.
Thank you.

Please, go to
the convent, Sister.

Is everything all right, Sister?

Yes, Mother General.

I heard you went outside
the convent this morning.

Yes.

Yes, I wanted to give food
to a family that is hungry.

I'm sorry. I know
I should not go outside.

When you returned,
you were troubled,
I am told.

Are you sure you're all right?

Yes, thank you.

But to tell truth,
Mother General,

I keep thinking about
those people out there.

I see them
from my classroom window.

I want to help.

But there are so many of them.
You can't help them all.

But we can help some.

I feel ashamed
not at least to try.

They're very, very hungry.
They have nothing.

Our vocation
is to teach young girls.

That is our calling, Sister.

My mother reminded me
of my calling.

"Dearest daughter,

Do not forget you went out there
to help the poor."

What are you saying,
Sister Teresa?

I don't know.

I love teaching.
I love being a nun.

But I must do something.

Surely God must love the poor
outside these walls

as much as he loves
privileged girls
inside the walls.

I believe
you're going on a retreat
in the next few days.

Yes.

I will ask God what I am to do.

I think I'll take this one.

Tell--
Tell Mother General
not to worry.

Have a restful retreat,
Sister Teresa.
God be with you.

Thank you.
God bless you.

VAN EXEM:
It was on this train,
en route to Darjeeling,

that she had
a life-changing moment.

She received what she took
as a message from God

to go serve
the poorest of the poor
and live among them.

She referred to it
as the call within a call--

to give up everything
and to follow him
into the slums.

And she said
she knew it was his will,
that she had to do it.

But it would have to be
the decision of the church.

MOTHER GENERAL: What do you mean
you heard the voice of God?

I heard a voice on the train.

It was not audible,
but was very clear, direct.

It told me that I must leave
the solace of the convent

and give my life
to serve the poor,
to live among the poor.

It was a command
that I must follow Christ
into the slums

and serve him by serving
the poorest of the poor.

You seem to have forgotten
the vows you took as
a cloistered nun, Sister.

Among the vows
was poverty, chastity

and obedience.

Yes, I know, Mother General.

But I also know it is his will,

and I have to follow him.

It is a call within a call.

I would like to apply
for exclaustration.

This way, I can remain
in Loreto order

and continue to live by my vows.

What I'm asking is permission
to work outside the walls.

You know very well
that cloistered nuns
cannot go outside the walls.

You are the principal
of our school.

The girls depend on you
and love you.

They don't even mind
when you are strict.

So, what are you saying?

Are you asking for
permission to be released
from your duties?

Are you asking for
permission to be released
from your vows?

No, no.
I want to remain a nun.

But all I'm asking
is to be allowed to work
with the poor. That is all.

Mother General,

there are people starving
right outside our door.

I see them every day
from my window.

It is--

It is terrible sight.

How can we ignore that?

Where is all this
suddenly coming from?

Well, it's not so sudden.

Before I became a nun,
I wanted to be a missionary.

I wanted to go out
and give the life of Christ

to people in
the missionary countries.

At that time,
when I was a girl
in Skopje, Yugoslavia,

I read there were missionaries
who were going to India.

So, you see.

It was always
what I wanted to do--

to serve the poor
purely for the love of God.

And then,

on the train to Darjeeling,

the voice was very clear.

Clear.

I cannot ignore this.

I will speak
to Archbishop Périer
about this,

and we'll see what he
has to say about it.

If he agrees,
then it's up to him to take
your request to the Vatican

when he visits next month.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mother General.
Thank you.

MAN:
Your Eminence.

Violence
in my quarter of Delhi
has become endemic

due to unjust
social structures
and practices.

They need to be
identified and abolished
to ensure lasting peace.

That's all I have,
Your Eminence.

Thank you.

Your Eminence, there are
a number of items that I'd like
to go over with you today,

but first I would like
to discuss the matter

concerning one of our nuns
of our Loreto order--

the principal
of the convent school
Saint Mary's.

Her name is Sister Teresa,

and she is seeking permission
to go outside of
the convent walls

to give help to the poor,
or as she calls it,
serve the poor.

It is a matter that was
brought to my attention

by the convent's mother general.

Sister Teresa says that
she heard the voice of God

telling her to follow Christ
into the slums.

Has she said anything
like this before?

No, Your Eminence.

She is one
of the most respected
teachers at the school.

She just feels that
she has to follow the command
of the voice she heard--

that of God.

She feels
it is a second calling.

She would not question
ecclesiastical authority

and has been waiting
without complaint for me
to speak to you

and get the Church's decision.

And she knows that nuns,
once cloistered,

cannot be allowed
to leave the convent?

Yes, Your Eminence, which is why
she's seeking exclaustration.

Have her write a letter
to the Holy Father.

Bring that letter to me.

She has already
written a letter,
Your Eminence.

I have given my blessing,

and the mother general
gave her permission
to write to Rome.

"To the Holy Father,
Pope Pius XII, Rome, Italy.

I have a vocation.

God has called me
to give up all and to
surrender myself to him

in the service
of the poorest of the poor
in the slums.

Please allow me
to be released from my vows

so that I may pursue
my vocation.

Sister Teresa, Loreto, Entally,

Calcutta, India."

On this historic day,

India takes her place as
a free and independent nation.

Freedom-loving people
everywhere

will wish to share
in your celebration.

In this historic moment,

let us not forget all that India
owes Mahatma Gandhi.

So, how was New Delhi?
I got the story,
got it to London.

But I have a feeling
this is where the action's
going to be.

I agree,
especially with Gandhi here
and against partition.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

It's God's will, Mother General.

I cannot ignore.
I have to follow his will.

The archbishop took
your letter to the cardinal
four months ago,

and there's no word
back from Rome.

I believe
the only way for you to
go outside these walls

is to apply for a decree
of secularization.

You mean

leave the order?

Well, if you are
so keen to go beyond
these walls, then yes.

Yes, I do think
it is the only way.

I have lived here as a nun
for 16 years.

Mother General, I--

Loreto order is my family.

I cannot just leave.

I cannot give up my life
as a nun.

Then stop this foolishness.

You are a cloistered nun.

They are not going to make
an exception for you

and let you break your vows.

It's God's will, Mother General,

not mine.

I will trust in God.

I will wait to hear
from Vatican,

and I will pray.

India and Pakistan
have officially joined
the family of nations.

It's amazing.

I mean, India has finally
been given its independence
from the Brits.

With that, it's going
to bring about problems.

So you think India's
going to suffer

under the burden
of its birth
as a modern nation?

Absolutely.

You've already
seen the consequences
of World War II

and the aftermath
of the '43 famine.

You can thank
the All India Congress Party
for that one.

I guess what I'm trying
to say, Graham, you're gonna
be in Calcutta for a while.

Hope you like India.

Sister.

May I talk to you
for a moment, please?
Of course.

Laxmi told me that you're
going to be leaving us.

Where did she hear that?

Laxmi.

Tell her.

Are you really leaving, Sister?

If it's God's will, child, yes.

But why would you
want to leave us?

When I was young girl,
I went to Catholic school.

And we had very good priests

who were helping us children
to find our vocation.

And it was then that I realized

that I had the vocation
to serve the poor.

This was 1922.
I was 12 years old.

And I wanted
to become missionary

and go out and spread
the word of Christ.

But, instead, I became nun.

I became teacher.

And now I'm here
with you girls,
who I love.

Now time for bed.
Hmm?
Hmm.

Go to sleep then.

Don't worry.

I doubt I will be leaving
for very long time.

Hmm.

Take a letter, please.
Yes, Your Eminence.

To Sister M. Teresa

of the Loreto order, Calcutta.

The Holy Father, Pope Pius XII,

through
the Sacred Congregation
for the Religious,

has granted you
permission--

"...to leave Loreto
and begin your new mission.

You have been granted
the indult of exclaustration

authorizing you
to stay outside
the Loreto convent

for one year or less,

if a shorter period
is sufficient.

You may keep
your religious vows
as a Loreto nun

under the authority
of Archbishop Périer."

Congratulations, Sister Teresa.

Thank you.

It's God's will, not mine.

MAN: Our main focus here
at the Medical Mission Sisters

is to administer medical
services to the poor.

We provide
a healing presence
to those in need.

The patient
we're going to see now
is extremely ill.

He has open sores
that are infected
and festering.

You'll see a lot of this
in the slums of Moti Jihl

when you get back to Calcutta.

In cases like this,
their own families
won't take care of them,

so they bring them here to us.

The Medical Mission Sisters
have a tradition of taking care
of patients like this.

Are you okay, Mary Teresa?

Let's go outside
and get some air.

Please.

It's not a pleasant sight,
I know, and can be
very shocking.

But you'll get used to it.

Before long,
you'll be washing
those sores yourself--

Yes.
and thinking nothing
of it.

Yes, I know.

I'm so sorry, Doctor.
Very, very sorry.

Maybe we should
slow your training down
a little.

No, no. No.

Please, I will manage.

I have much to learn
before I return to Calcutta.

You're a nun, but you
don't wear a habit.

And you aren't
called "Sister."

No, I'm Mary Teresa now.

I wear chira because
it's important for me

to mix with people,
to be accepted.

Are you ready to go back inside?

Mmm. Yes, yes.

Yes.
Right, let's
go back to work.

You'll want to make sure
your hands are clean
when you prepare the wound.

You take gauze,
dip it in sterile saline
or sterile saltwater,

and then you wring it out.

You put the gauze
in the wound,
pack the wound

and then you cover it
with a gauze square.

And then you wrap it up
with a gauze roll.

You see?
Yes, Doctor.

This patient
has an infection
in his abdomen.

It requires antibiotics.

We need to give him
an injection of penicillin
into his arm.

Sister Margaret.

First thing we do
is we get all the air out.

Then we clean him
with alcohol and gauze.

And then very gently inject
the needle into his arm

and push very slowly.

And when we're done,
as we pull it out,
we hold the injection site.

Yes, Doctor.

VAN EXEM: There was no doubt
that she had found her calling.

Dr. Ahmed tried
to make her tougher,

but there was no way she was
going to lose her compassion.

And when she had completed
her medical training,

she headed back to Calcutta

and to the Little Sisters
of the Poor at the convent
of St. Joseph's,

where she also stayed
while looking for a more
permanent place to live.

Is it true that
she entered the slums with
five rupees in her pocket?

Yes, that is also true.

Five rupees was the equivalent

of, say, one English pound
at the time

or an American dollar.

Makes you wonder
where she got the courage.

VAN EXEM: On the first day
she entered the slums,

she took with her
Veronica Gomes,

a sodality member
of the parish of Santa Teresa.

That was the church she had
been attending since returning
to Calcutta from Patna.

Veronica took her
around Moti Jihl,

the poorest, wretchedest
quarter of the city.

It's the section which began
just outside Loreto.

And they first
stopped at Taltala,

another impoverished
neighborhood of Calcutta

where poor Catholics
were known to live.

Though she expected it,
she was still shocked

at the extent of the poverty,
of the suffering.

She had with her no money
with which to help them
otherwise.

So all she brought with her
that first day in the slums

was an abundance of love

in her heart and in her soul.

No.

No, no, no.

This is dirty.
No, you don't eat.

This will make you sick.

What are you doing?
Sick.

Who are you to take food
from my child?

No, I don't take--
What are you doing here?

What is going on here?
The woman took food
from our child.

No.
Who are you?

I'm Mary Teresa.

...your child
to read and write,
if you like.

I don't want money.
No!

We do not want you here.

We do not need your help.

We are Hindu.

And do not
teach our children
about your god.

Leave.

Just a minute.

This is not
a place for you,
a Christian teacher.

You don't belong here.

It's best for you to go.

I may not be wanted here,

but I am needed.

TERESA:
Dear Father van Exem,

I am beginning my work
in the slums

while also looking for a more
permanent place to live.

I have walked and walked
until my legs ache.

I keep thinking about
how the poor must ache

in body and in soul

while looking for food,
for help.

This work is far
more difficult than I had
imagined it would be.

Never in all my life did I know

there was such suffering
in the world
as I have seen here.

VAN EXEM:
It was only nine months
after partition.

The British had relinquished
control of India

after nearly 200 years in power.

So any foreigner at that time
would have been viewed
with suspicion

and would be identified
with the oppressors,

which the British
were considered,
as well as occupiers.

So, for her to voluntarily
go into that world

and overcome that suspicion,

she had her work
cut out for her.

No. Boys, boys, boys.

I don't have money.

I'm poor like you.
Hmm?

Mm-hmm. But I do have
some food for you.

Wait.

Atal Babu. Please.

Atal Babu.

These children,
I could teach them
to read and to write.

Hmm?

Those are orphaned children.
There are many of them
like that.

Go ahead, teach them
to read if you like.

Thank you.

Atal Babu,

I'm not here to convert
anybody to my faith.

I'm only interested
to teach children
to read, to write.

And to help. To help people
in what way I can.

You want?

You want? Come.

Come.

Here, here.
Come, come, come.

Come.

You want bread?

You want?

I am Mary Teresa.
I am teacher.

You boys, you ever
been to school?

No?

You would like to go to school?

Yes?

Come, sit down.

I will teach you alphabet.

You know what it is,
alphabet, hmm?

A, B, C, D.

Come, sit.

I will teach you.
We will learn.

So, here.

"A."
"A."

Good. "A."

BOTH:
"A."

"B."
"B."

"C."
"C."

"C."
"C."

Good.

"A."

ALL:
"A."

"B."

"C."

Good.
Number four is--

"D."
"D."

Very good!

We have now learned
first four letters
of alphabet.

You want to learn more?

Yes?

Come.

Come.

"E."

ALL:
"E."
Very good.

You want to
learn more?
Yes.

Come. Come join.

Now we have

"A."
ALL:
"A."

"B."
"B."

"C."
"C."

"D."
"D."

"E."
"E."

Good.

Now, you, which is this one?

"A."
That's good.

You want to learn more?
Yes.

Come. Come.

"F."
"F."

"F."
"F."

Good. Now, all together,
from beginning.

ALL:
A, B, C,

D, E, F, G,

H, I.

That's so good, everybody!

Clap. Clap!

Yes.
Good. Good, good.

"But the crocodile
could not convince him.

'At last,' he thought,
'Somehow I must get
the monkey's heart.'

So he then thought
of a plan and he swam
very fast to the monkey.

He reached
the jungle tree and"--
Atal is wrong.

She should not be here.

He should not let her
teach our children.

She will teach them
about her Christian god.

You will see.

What is she doing here?
Why did she come here?

A white woman?

"The crocodile
could not convince her."

Come, we'll speak
to Abu Atal about it.

You want her to leave?
You talk to Atal.

You want that
Christian woman here?

I have no problems with her.

They have nothing.
We have nothing.

Maybe the Christian woman
can give them something
we don't have.

You will see!

She will teach them
about her god.
That's why she's here.

"'At last,' he thought,

'somehow, I must get
the monkey's heart.'

He then thought of a plan,
and he swam very fast
to the monkey."

You, Christian woman.

We do not want you here.
Leave our village.

You are here
to convert our children
to your Christian god.

Go home.
No.

Go home.

I am not here to convert
your children to my faith.

This you must believe.

I am only here to help,
to serve you

and to give your children
possibility for life.

That's all.
What are you doing,
Kavitha? Huh?

What's happening here, Maharaj?
What are you doing?

This white woman should go home.

She's stealing
our children's souls.

She is here to help
our children, Maharaj!

She has not once
brought up her faith
or her religion.

She only teaches them
to read and write.

I've been attending her class
every day with my daughter.

See?

She is evil.

She does not belong here.

She's even managed
to influence her
with her devilish ways.

Dinsha, go.
Get Atal, quickly.

You want this
Christian woman here?

You want this
Christian woman here?

She will convert
our children.
You'll see!

Thank you.
You're welcome, Sister.

I'm Ashwani, Dinsha's husband.

Oh. Ashwani.

Oh, good.

Come, come.
Yes.

TERESA:
Dear God,

I know you want me
to be a free nun

covered with
the poverty of the cross.

But I have been
experiencing doubt,

loneliness,

the temptation to return
to Loreto and convent life.

But, today, I learned
an important lesson.

I went back to Loreto,

and I know I belong
with the poor.

Of free choice, my God,

and out of love for you,

I want to remain with the poor

and do whatever
be your holy will.

Fella, stop.

Sister?

Shubashini!

What-- What
are you doing here?

I've come to help you, Sister.

How did you know
where to find me?

I heard that you were
at St. Joseph's Convent,

so I went there
and met Veronica Gomes.

She said I'd find you here.

I brought some medical supplies.
I thought you might need some.

Is it all right that I'm here?

Yes?

Come, show me what
you have brought me.
Okay.

Ah.

Thank God.

She's beautiful baby.

Yes, Sister, she is.

Shubashini, are you all right?

I'm all right.

Come.
Let's go back in.

YOUNG VAN EXEM:
Dearest Sister M. Teresa,

I received your letter
and can only imagine
how difficult it must be

to witness all the suffering
you are seeing each day.

The work you are doing
is being talked about
in the city.

The officials
at the municipality have
expressed their appreciation.

I have given thought
to your need

to find a more
permanent place to live.

I've spoken
to Jesuit Father Julian Henry

who told me that
he had suggested
you might live at Krishnagar,

but that your feeling
was they might try to
make things easy for you

because you know most
of the nuns and teachers there

and it is your desire
to have no special treatment.

May I suggest that you go
see the Gomes brothers.

They are from Bangladesh,

but maintain a house here
in the city at 14 Creek Lane.

Talk to Nicholas.

He's a devout Christian
who might be able to help you.

You are very much missed
by the nuns and students
at Loreto

who wish you the utmost success
in your mission.

May God be with you.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

Father C. van Exem, SJ.

Yes?
You are Mr. Gomes?

Yes.
I am Mary Teresa.

Father van Exem told me
you might be expecting me.

Oh, yes.
Come in, please.
Thank you.

This way.

I thought you would be
wearing a habit.

I was told you were a nun.

I am a nun,

but I wear a chira
so I can mix in with
the people of Moti Jihl.

My work is with the poor.

That's what
Father van Exem told me.

What can I do for you?

I need a place to stay.

If you have something--
anything-- I would be
very grateful.

My brothers spend most
of their time in Bangladesh.

The upper floor is vacant.

I'm sure they wouldn't mind
if I let you use
a room up there.

That's very, very kind
of you, Mr. Gomes.

I'm very quiet person.
You would not even know
I was here.

I leave very early
in the morning.

Coming back, returning
late in the evening.

I will be no trouble.

This is a room
you could use,
if you like.

Oh.

I can bring in more furniture.

No, no, no.
Thank you.

I think I would prefer
we move furniture out.

I need very little.

If it's acceptable with you,
I would just bring in a chair

and some packing crates.

These I can use
for a desk and a table.

All right.

Sister, I'm afraid he's dying.

I know.

A little bit of God's love.
That's all we can do.

Yes.

Help me to lift his head.

Yes.

Yes.

Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh.

It's so sad.

The greatest suffering
is to feel alone,

unwanted,

unloved.

But he's not alone now.

He's here with us.

TERESA:
Dear Father van Exem,

Thank you so much for your
introduction to Mr. Gomes.

He is wonderful man

and is allowing me
to stay in his house.

He says I can use
the upper floor

as the first home
for my charity.

Today, Father Bawens,
the parish priest
at St. Teresa's,

came by to bless the house,

and tears rolled and rolled.

I have been experiencing
great loneliness.

After being at Loreto
for so many years,

always surrounded
by nuns and students,

I did not expect how alone
I would feel in my new life.

I wonder, how long
will my heart suffer?

Pray for me.

Let me not draw back
from the sacrifice I have made
of my free choice

and conviction.

What is it, Sister?
This letter is from
Archbishop Périer.

If I'm not
given permission
for extension,

I'll have to go back
to Loreto, and we'll have
to give up this work.

Read it.

"Holy See has granted you
permission

to continue the work
for three more years."

God.

Thanks God.

Sister!
Sister, it's Kavitha.

She's having a baby,
and something is wrong.

Wait there.

Kavitha.

What are you doing here?
Get out!

Maharaj, please.
I asked her to come here.

She has training,
and Kavitha needs
her help now.

Please let her. Please!
Please, Maharaj! Go out!

Go out!

Kavitha. Kavitha.

It's breech baby.
Breech baby.
Sister.

Shh, shh, shh.
Kavitha. Kavitha.

MAN :
US cruiser Milwaukee,
a 28-year-old four-stacker

comes home from
lend-lease duty in Russia.

At anchor in Delaware Bay,
the warship is manned
by a Russian crew

and is first of 31
fighting ships leased to Russia
during the war

that will be returned
to the USA.

Hello?

Graham, I've got a story
you might want to look into.

A nun is doing some
interesting charity work in
the slums near where you are.

Could make for
a nice human interest story
when you get some time.

I'll look into it.

So, what is it you girls
wanted to talk to me about?

Mother General,
we've decided that
we want to be nuns.

That's wonderful news.

Have you discussed this
with your parents?

You think they would object?

Well, my mother
has already objected.

Why?

Because she doesn't
want me to work amongst
the untouchables.

And why would you be working
amongst the untouchables?

Because, Mother General,
we want to work
with Sister Teresa.

Yes.

I see.

I think I would listen
to your mother.

- And what about your parents?
- I haven't told them yet.

Because?

Because they wouldn't approve.

I know what I want to do.

I've already been
helping Sister Teresa
in the evenings after school.

My parents want me
to study in Europe,
but I want to stay here.

I want to become a nun
and work with Sister Teresa.

Go home and talk
to your parents,
and then come and talk to me.

Go.

Thank you, Mother.
Thank you.

VAN EXEM:
Mother General did not approve
of their wanting to work

with Sister Teresa,

and she made her feelings known.

From the moment
the two girls told her--

Thank you.

That they wanted to be nuns

and dedicate themselves
to the work of their
former teacher,

a concern
about other students
doing the same

began to worry Mother General.

And when Sister Teresa
got wind of that,

she wrote me a letter.

This letter.

"Father, I am saddened

as I write this letter,

but you are
my spiritual director,

so I must share it with you.

Mother General is afraid"--

...that I am a danger
to the Loreto nuns and students.

Every means has been used
to not render any help to me.

She has forbidden them
to have anything to do with me.

But still the students come.

First, Shubashini Das,

then Deepa Ambereesh,
then others.

Every time someone new comes,

there is anxiety
at Loreto convent.

That is why I have made
provisions for those who come

to study at home for the matric
and senior training.

With all they do
to prevent them from joining,

there are more and more girls
wanting to join.

Your Grace, the situation
with Sister Teresa

has gotten quite out of control.

She's stealing
our students,
Your Grace.

A total of 10 of them
have left Loreto to join her.

Did they graduate
before leaving?

Some did, some did not.

Give me a number.

Eight of them graduated
before joining her.

Two did not.

Well, you should
encourage them to graduate
before they join her.

Other than that,
I don't see a problem.

They would be
throwing away their lives,
their education,

if they worked in places
like the slums.

If they wish to become nuns,
they must join the Loreto order

and follow the strict vows
that we all do

and the vocation of the order.

What is your opinion here,
Celeste?

My opinion, Your Grace,

is that these girls
are surrendering themselves
to God one by one

and voluntarily choosing
to serve God through
service to the poor,

as Sister Teresa has.

I'm sure this is due
in whole or in part
to the influence and training

they've received at Loreto.

What better way
for them to serve God

than to do so at the supervision

of the former headmistress,
Sister Teresa?

What is it you would
have me do, Mother General?

The Vatican
granted Sister Teresa
an extension

to the original time
it had given her.

Your Grace, I would like you
to see that she does not
get another extension

and that she be required
to return to Loreto.

No, put them here.

Bandage.

Good morning, Sister.

Oh, good morning,
Mr. Gomes.

I see you've put
this floor to good use.

Yes.
Yes, we have.

Girls and I thank you.

You're a very,
very kind, generous man
for letting us stay here.

You're most welcome, Sister.

This arrived yesterday.
I think it's for one
of your girls.

Oh, it's for Deepa.
Yes, thank you.
I'll make sure she gets it.

Have a great day.
Thank you.

Let me show you.
Yes, Sister.

What are you going to do?

What can I do?

They're my parents, no?

But doesn't it matter
that you want to stay here
and be a nun?

No.

They want me
to study in England,

get married, have children,

make them grandparents.

My mother finds
this caste system
we have in India acceptable.

But I don't, so she just
doesn't understand

why I would want
to go into the slums

and work with
the smaller caste people.

She just doesn't understand.

I think you should talk
to Sister Teresa.

Talk to her?

She's in a meeting right now
with Father van Exem.

Come on.

I admire your ambition, Sister,

but the last time the Vatican
approved a new congregation

was a hundred years ago.

I doubt you would
stand a chance of getting
approval from the Holy See.

I would like to apply
anyway, Father.

Are you not satisfied
with the three-year extension

you were given
to continue your work?

Yes, yes, Father,
I'm very grateful.

But when the three years
is ended, what then?

Must I apply again
for extension?

And what if they say no?

No, this work is
too important to abandon,

and Mother General
is against what I'm doing.

I'm afraid this
could have an effect.

They might refuse extension.
No, I have no choice.

I must apply
for recognition
as a congregation.

I need to separate now
from Loreto.

It's very clear.

How many of you are there?

Twelve.
Twelve now, more coming.

The past 10 girls
were from Loreto--
students I taught.

But then more came,
and we have doctors
and nurses, volunteers.

They come twice a week.

Yes, the more the work spreads,

the more clear it becomes
it is his will.

You know,
in order to be recognized,

you would have to show cause
as to why a new order
is necessary.

Yes, Father,
I have been working.

Here are documents.

And rights of constitutions.

It's a draft proposal.

Do you have a name
for this order?

Yes, Father.

The Missionaries of Charity.

It seems well prepared.

I'll finish going through it,

then I'll get it
to Archbishop Périer.

Thank you, Father.

Your Grace, she even has
the city's municipal cooperation
behind her now.

And a reporter showed up
at my office

and wanted to know
how he could get
an interview with her.

I think it's time
we demand she return to
her duties as a Loreto nun.

Her applying for recognition
as a congregation is absurd.

Your Grace, she has told me
she feels a separation
from Loreto is necessary.

Separation?

Yes.
Your Grace.

But what about
her obligations,
her vows?

She's requesting secularization,
an annulment of her vows.

Secularization?

Yes. She feels
it's the only way.

Exclaustration would
allow her to retain her vows
as a Loreto nun

should she not succeed
at what she's doing.

Secularization
would rule that out.

She would not
be allowed to return.

She's aware of that, Your Grace,

but she's confident that
this safeguard is not necessary.

Her inspiration,
she's convinced,
is coming directly from God,

so, to her, there could be
no question of failure.

Leaving
the door open at Loreto
is not necessary.

What's this?

It's her application
for recognition
as a congregation.

All the documents
are there, including
the rights of constitutions.

All right, I'll go through it.

If I find that
everything is in order,

you can tell Sister Teresa
I'll pass it on to the Vatican.

As it was--

What is it, Deepa?

Do you have a minute, Sister?

Yes, of course.

Come.

Sister, that letter
that you gave me?

Hmm.

It was from my parents.

I thought so.

And they want me to go home.

They think what I'm doing here
is throwing my life away.

And they're ashamed

that I'm working amongst those
who are shunned by the society.

Deepa,

your family
is from higher caste.

You must have known
this was possibility.

Yes, Sister, but it's so unfair.

This is where I want to be.

What do I do, Sister?

We pray.

We trust in God.

God will give us answer.

Hmm? Come.

Get some sleep.
Try not to worry.

Hmm?

All will be well.

Good night, Sister.

Good night.

Excuse me.

Are you Sister Teresa?
Yes.

My name is Graham Widdecombe.
I'm a reporter from London.

I'm in town
doing a follow-up story
on post-partition India,

and I've been hearing
a lot about you.

You're
a newspaper reporter,
Mr. Widdecombe?

No, radio.

I'm not very interesting,
but if you want to write
a story, talk to the poor.

Yes, but it's your work
that's being talked about
all over the city.

It's not my work,
Mr. Widdecombe.
It's God's work.

I'm just a pencil in God's hand.

But, Sister, if you could
give me just a minute--

No time for talk,
Mr. Widdecombe.
Lots to do.

"A pencil in God's hand."

TERESA, CHILDREN:
Arabian Sea.

Good. And to east
is Bay of Bengal.

ALL:
Bay of Bengal.

Very good.
Now, who can tell me where
on map is Calcutta?

Yes.

Very good!

Yes!

Make path. Make path.

What is it, Father?
Something wrong?

No, Sister,
there is nothing wrong.

We shall now erect their group
into a religious congregation.

We have with great care
scrutinized their way
of living and of working

and given diligent consideration

to the purpose
they have in view.

This earnest examination
led us to the conclusion

that there is
no other congregation
currently in existence

which answers the promise
which this new institute
intends

and that, consequently,
in erecting it

into a religious congregation

for the relief of so many
and in such dire need,

shall redound
to the greater glory of God.

In consequence, we do,
by the present decree,

to the greater glory of God

and/or the promotion
in these parts of the kingdom

of truth, justice, peace

and charity
of Christ the Savior,

erect and institute
a new religious congregation

which shall have for its name

the Congregation
of the Missionaries of Charity.

We welcome your new order
to the Catholic dioceses
of Calcutta,

Mother Teresa.

ALL:
We vow to care
for the hungry,

the naked and the homeless,

the crippled,
the blind, the lepers,

all those people
who feel unwanted, unloved,

uncared for throughout society,

people who have
become a burden to society
and are shunned.

Giving Christ's love
in our spiritual work of mercy.

♪ The night is dark ♪

♪ And I am far from home ♪

The body of Christ.
Amen.

♪ Lead thou me on ♪

The body of Christ.
Amen.

♪ Keep thou my feet ♪

The body of Christ.
Amen.

♪ I do not ask to see ♪

♪ The distant scene ♪

♪ One step enough for me ♪

VAN EXEM:
Mother's belief in prayer was
the foundation of her faith.

She believed prayer
was food for the soul

and, if you prayed deeply,
your prayer would be answered.

So, the call
that she got on the train

in 1946

was now officially recognized
and confirmed by the church.

Yes.

And she was humbled,

seeing all that God had done.

Mother had been walking
through an impoverished
neighborhood in Calcutta,

and she came upon a poor soul
who was dying in the street.

A poor woman who had
been just left to die.

It was this incident
that motivated her

to think of creating
an official hospice.

Excuse me.
The health officer
will see you now.

This way, please.

Sit down.
Thank you.

So, Mother Teresa,

you've made quite an impression
on the authorities in the city

and I've been asked
to accommodate you
in any way I can.

Thank you. Very kind.

We have a need for a facility

so we can bring the abandoned
who are dying on our streets in

so they can be allowed
to die with dignity.

Do you know of such a place,
and can it be made available?

You mean a hospital?

No. No.

A place where the destitute
who are left to die
on our streets

can be brought in
and given a bed and food
and cared for

and allowed to die
surrounded by loving people.

There are many on the streets.

The need is straightaway.

Yes, I see.

I see them myself every day.

If not a hospital,

what would it be then?

A home for the dying.

There is a place
not very far from here
that might work for you.

It's a building
in the precincts
of Kalighat Temple.

This is the building.

Is this something
that would suit you?

I would like to see inside.

It's an abandoned Kali temple.

If you like it, perhaps
I can arrange for the city
to let you use it.

I would be very grateful,
thank you.

There is a dharmsala inside,

a place where Hindus
used to rest

after their worship
of the Kali goddess.

I think it would
give you the space you need
for many people.

This is perfect.

When will we know?

I'll bring it up
in a meeting tomorrow
at the municipality.

I like that it was
a center of worship
for Hindus.

Would you like
to see the dharmsala?

Yes, please.

This way.

This is the place
where people would rest

after they worshipped.

Is this something
that would suit you?

Yes.

WOMAN:
Just think of Jesus.

Put your hand in his hand
and walk along with him.

Walk ahead.

If you look back,
you'll go back.

I'll miss you.

And I you.

I'm already homesick.

DEEPA: Mother?
Is everything all right?

Your light is on,
and it's quite late.

Is everything all right, Mother?

Sister Gertrude, come.

I was going down the hall,

and I saw there was light
coming out from your room.

I know you always
retire late, but it's
later than usual.

What happened?

Is everything all right?

My mother and my sister--

I was hoping they would
be able to come for a visit.

It's been 28 years
since I've seen them.

But Albanian government
has refused permission

for them to leave the country.

I'm terribly sorry.

So, we have to be up
early in the morning.

We must get some--
some rest.

Good night. Yes.

And--

And we have much work to do.

We must be up very early
in the morning.

Are you going to be okay?
Yes, yes.

We must get some rest now.

Go to bed.

Good night, Mother.

Mother? Mother?

Hmm.

I don't know if you remember me.

I remember you,
Mr. Widdecombe.

Yes. If you have a minute,
I'd like to have
a word with you.

As you can see, Mr. Widdecombe,
we're very busy here today.

It's not good time.
But it would only take
a few minutes.

There are so many people
interested in knowing
more about you.

Mr. Widdecombe,
it's not about me.

I'm just doing God's work.

Yes, well, can we
talk about the work
you're doing here then?

Well, what we are doing here
is setting up a home

where people
who are dying on the streets

can be brought in
so they can die
with loving faces around them.

Wait. Mother Teresa,
if you would just hold up
for a moment--

Mr. Widdecombe,
getting interview with me
is waste of your time.

Hmm?

Look outside.

Come. Hmm?

The poor are everywhere.

Write about them.

That's the important story.
I'm just an instrument.

Yes, but the people
want to hear about you.

Are you going to
change to television,
Mr. Widdecombe?

I hear it's very big
in England now, maybe
going to take over radio.

That will never happen,
and I will never be
a television reporter.

This is not good.
Let's start again.

VAN EXEM:
Archbishop Périer and I
had been getting letters

from Mother Teresa.

And those letters
kept getting darker and darker,

revealing
her spiritual darkness
was growing.

And getting news
like what she had gotten
from the Albanian government

certainly didn't help.

But she seemed cheerful
in her daily life

and tireless in her work.

But inside--

inside she was experiencing
a terrible emptiness.

The feeling that she
had been abandoned

by God.

Nathan, can you hear me?
We have a pretty bad connection.

I can hear you, Graham.
It's the way it always is.

Okay, just say when.

Go ahead. Anytime.

This is a somewhat unusual story
from what you are used
to me reporting,

as I am normally on assignment
as a war correspondent.

But here in Calcutta,
there is a growing awareness

of a Catholic nun who has been
doing charity work with the poor

that has caught the attention
of everyone,

from the local
municipal authorities here

to the Vatican in Rome.

Her name is Mother Teresa,

and she has
a growing number of followers
in her new congregation

known as
the Missionaries of Charity,

erected just two years ago
by the Catholic church.

What's unusual about her
is she won't grant me
or anyone else an interview,

believing that she
is an instrument of God
and doing his work.

She refuses to take
any form of credit.

To the locals
in the poorest sections
of this city, she is a saint.

But to a certain segment
of the Hindu population here,

she has come under fire,
if not threat,

as she has set up a home
for the dying in one of
their abandoned temples,

housing given to her by
the local municipal authority.

Mother, it's getting
worse out there.
I know.

But I don't really think
they'll do anything. Come.

But do you think
we should get word out
to the municipal authority?

How are you today?

Why are you helping me?

I am Hindu.

Because in you, I see Jesus.

And I love you as God loves you.

Now lie down.

You just keep working.

Hmm?

Mother?

Mother, you can't go out there.
It's not safe for you.

Mother!

I'm going to
speak to them.
No, Mother. Wait.

Please wait.
Mother.

Mother,
please don't go outside.
We need to summon help.

I agree with
Sister Agnes, Mother.

The situation outside
has got out of control.

We need to get some help.

Please don't go out.
Please. Please.

You are to leave
this temple now!

This is our temple,
our sacred place!

You are desecrating it
with your god!

Please. Please.

Municipal authority
told us that we could
use this temple.

But if it is problem for you
us being here,

you should talk to municipality.

This place
is the holiest place for us!

Hindus!

You are not welcome here!
What you are doing here?

You are Hindu!

There is death in there!

It is impure in there!

What's going on here?

This Christian woman,
she is to leave this temple now!

Silence! Quiet!

And why is she to leave?

She does not belong
in our temple!

It is this Christian woman
who is taking care
of our dying.

If you took care
of those who are dying
in our streets,

perhaps municipality would not
have given her our temple!

That does not matter!

She is to leave this temple now!

It is you who has to leave.

All of you, go home!

The health officer
has given these people
this abandoned temple.

It is not a matter
for you to decide.

You will leave immediately,
or else I will summon
the municipal authority

and the commissioner of police!

Now go home!

Go!

VAN EXEM: Mother didn't
have any more trouble
with the locals after that.

The incident marked
the beginning of a lifelong
relationship with them

and her love for them.

Shankarsinh, could you
please help me to take--

Put it over there.
It's so heavy.

Mother's-- her trouble with
the locals might have ended,

but her spiritual
suffering had not.

There are letters from her
in this box

that give clear proof.

Of course, she would not
show her sense of loss
to the young nuns in the order.

And it was Mother's wish
that no one read
these letters.

She wanted them destroyed.

But the darkness she lived with

was an essential element
of who she was,

and her letters document
what she went through.

You are the postulator

for her cause
for sainthood, and I--

I want you
to read these letters.

There is no stronger testimony
to her holiness,

to her worthiness of sainthood.

And should these letters
one day be made public,

many people
who go through similar trials

will benefit from them.

I have been charged
with the task of postulator
for the cause

of beatification
and canonization
of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

In the years
since I began my research,
I have gathered documents

and testimony
which have led me
to a conclusion.

She possessed depths of holiness

far deeper than any of us
might have imagined.

As you know,
I have been given letters.

Letters that she wrote
to her spiritual advisers,

among them
Archbishop of Calcutta
Ferdinand Périer

and Father Celeste van Exem,
her spiritual adviser.

The letters contain information

that document
her worthiness
of canonization.

The reality
of her life was this--

she suffered greatly,

stemming from her belief that
she had been abandoned by God.

Little was known
about her spiritual burdens

or her personal struggles

until these letters
became available.

They reveal
the spiritual turbulence

and intensity
of her life and work

over a period of six decades.

As her order expanded

with permission
from Pope Paul VI in 1965,

she took no credit
for her accomplishments.

She did everything possible
to divert the attention
she received to God,

insisting that
the work she was doing

was his work, not hers.

Her contributions in caring
for the sick and dying

and the homeless

made her admired
throughout the world.

And though she was not one
to accept any awards,

she was named recipient
of the Nobel Peace Prize,

a ceremony
which she agreed to attend

only after being persuaded

that it would call attention
to the world's poor.

I'm very happy
to receive this award

in the name of the hungry,

the naked, the homeless,

the crippled, the blind,

the lepers

and all those people
who feel unwanted,

unloved,

uncared for--

the throwaway of society.

And as we are gathered here
together today

to thank God
for the Nobel Peace Prize,

I think it would be beautiful
to pray the prayer

of St. Francis of Assisi

which always
surprises me very much.

We pray this prayer every day
after Holy Communion,

as it is very fitting
for each one of us.

Lord,

make me a channel of your peace.

Where there is hatred,

may I bring love.

Where there is wrong,

may I bring
spirit of forgiveness.

Where there is discord,

may I bring harmony.

Where there is error,

may I bring truth.

Where there is doubt,

may I bring faith.

Where there is despair,

may I bring hope,

that where there are shadows,

I may bring light,

that where there is sadness,

I may bring joy.

Amen.

And, you know, I always wondered

if 400, 500 years ago,

when St. Francis of Assisi
composed this prayer,

that they had the same
difficulties as we have today

because it is very fitting
for us also.

Thank you.

BEN:
During her life,

she became an icon of compassion
to people of all religions.

Her work gave voice to the poor
in a way that was never
possible before.

Archbishop Périer believed
that her loneliness

and her feeling of abandonment

had its root in the mystery
of Jesus' mission.

The darkness she endured
was an essential element
of her vocation,

and the letters she wrote

an important testimony
to her legacy.

She requested
the letters be destroyed,

fearing that, to quote her,

"When the beginning
will be known, people
will think more of me

and less of Jesus."

To her, she was just
a servant of God,

God using her nothingness

for his greatness.

Today my work is done.

I submit to you all
of my findings, all my
documents and testimony

as we wait for a second miracle.

Based on my findings,
I must conclude

that I cannot imagine anyone
more worthy of canonization

than Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu,

Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

WOMAN:
♪ And I can barely look at you ♪

♪ But every single time I do ♪

♪ I know we'll make it
anywhere ♪

♪ Away from here ♪

♪ Light up, light up ♪

♪ As if you have a choice ♪

♪ Even if you cannot
hear my voice ♪

♪ I'll be right beside you,
dear ♪

♪ To think I might not
see those eyes ♪

♪ Makes it so hard not to cry ♪

♪ And as we say
our long good-byes ♪

♪ I nearly do ♪

♪ Mmm, mmm ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Light up, light up ♪

♪ As if you have a choice ♪

♪ Even if you cannot
hear my voice ♪

♪ I'll be right beside you,
dear ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Louder, louder ♪

♪ And we'll run for our lives ♪

♪ I can hardly speak
I understand ♪

♪ Why you can't raise
your voice to say ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Ah-ah, ah-ah ♪

♪ Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah ♪

♪ Ah-ah, ah-ah ♪

♪♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Oh-oh ♪

♪ Light up, light up ♪

♪ As if you have a choice ♪

♪ Even if you cannot
hear my voice ♪

♪ I'll be right beside you,
dear ♪

♪ Oh-oh ♪

♪ Louder, louder ♪

♪ And we'll run for our lives ♪

♪ I can hardly speak
I understand ♪

♪ Why you can't raise
your voice to say ♪

♪ Ooh-hoo ♪