St. Teresa of Kolkata, pray for us. One of the best attributes of the body of Christ is its acts of service — to the poor, the elderly, the sick and the disenfranchised.

Mother Teresa embodied that quality and took it to a supernatural level, and for that and myriad other reasons, we now call her St. Teresa. Our stories, reflections and essays throughout this special issue (which also includes our 12th-annual Catholic Identity College Guide) reveal a common thread about our newest saint.

She was a person who defied the convention of the day. She rejected material wealth and radically defended the dignity of the least among us in words and actions for decades, softening the hearts of millions of Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and atheists around the world.

What I remember most is her humility and utter disregard for her own welfare to will the good of the other. As she stated in her memoirs, she also did these things at a time of spiritual barrenness.

One of my favorite sayings from Mother Teresa is “Do ordinary things with extraordinary love.” Let us all pray for the grace to leave our comfort zones and in some way imitate the example of St. Teresa, the “saint of the gutters,” who mirrored Christ so well.

God bless you!