From time to time, my mother would order religious books for our family. She was the most peaceful, happy, patient, and loving mother any child could ever hope for, and she nourished us with good things in every way. I benefitted greatly from these books, because my heart was always inclined toward God and holy things. I am one of ten children. My parents raised our family in the Roman Catholic tradition and they lived their faith beautifully. They kept us very close to God and to the sacraments while we were growing up ... My parents always referred to us as their "ten treasures," and the most important thing my father taught us was to "keep the faith," so that all of his treasures would arrive safely in heaven in the end. ...

Home has always been the greatest classroom of love. It has always been the place where love is best taught, learned, and lived. ...

I thank God for my mother. It was my mother who gave me those first words I ever read by Mother Teresa (on joy), and it was she who had ordered the beautiful set of three little books by Mother Teresa which inspired me with such longing. Yet, when I shared this dream [to go to Calcutta to help those suffering in the Home for the Dying] with my mother, she could not accept it. Obviously she had no idea what these letters and books were inspiring in me. She did not realize at the time that God was using her as an instrument of grace and a channel of divine influence in my life. If she had forseen the consequences of her deeds, namely, the wishes that they would inspire in my heart, I imagine she would never have followed through with them! It was obviously not her intention to make me dream of helping Mother Teresa someday. It was simply God's intention. ...

I tried to put aside my dream but within a short time, my yearning to serve the poor in India came back, in full force, and continued to grow. This is how I knew most clearly that it was God's will and not my own. I would never have pursued something that left my parents in great fear for my life unless I sensed clearly and strongly that I was being drawn to make the journey. I knew that, truly, this was a seed planted in my heart by God.