Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Thursday 26 December |
Saint of the Day: St. Stephen
Aleteia logo
Art & Culture
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Song Captures Mother Teresa’s Spiritual Darkness

Matt Maher - published on 08/31/16

"Firelight"

Help Aleteia continue its mission by making a tax-deductible donation. In this way, Aleteia's future will be yours as well.

Donate with just 3 clicks

*Your donation is tax deductible!

If I’m ever known for anything, let it be I ran into the night running with a firelight.

“Captures” may be too strong, but Matt Maher’s “Firelight” at least enters into the mystery of the (soon-to-be-official) saint’s enduring darkness that was revealed after her death. For over fifty years the little Albanian nun known for her work with the poor in Calcutta was wandering in a spiritual desert. On the outside she radiated joy, but on the inside she felt lonely and abandoned.

She once said, “If I ever do become a saint, I will surely be one of darkness. For I will not be content to roam the streets of heaven while there’s one soul who still longs for God.”

“Her quote captures that hunger of a person, who in the midst of struggle, still loves the marginalized and still loves the oppressed,” says Maher. “‘Firelight’ is a song about disillusionment and that very frail prayer of asking God to burn and shine in the midst of that and to continue to light the way through darkness.”

You can purchase “Firelight” on iTunes.And for more on Mother Teresa’s darkness and what it meant, take a look at this article.

Libby Reichert

Tags:
CeciliaChristian MusicFaithMatt MaherMother TeresaSaints
Aleteia exists thanks to your donations

Help us to continue our mission of sharing Christian news and inspiring stories. Please make a donation today! Take advantage of the end of the year to get a tax deduction for 2024.

2025-Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.