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BELMONT — "A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love." With these words, Mother Teresa urged her order of women religious dedicated to serving Christ in the poorest of the poor to live lives of joy and love for Christ.

Pictured: The extraordinary life of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta was on display at Belmont Abbey College Oct. 24-26. Here, Bri Rose, Emily Walker and Jon Biddex, all juniors, browse the exhibit. Rose said her favorite quote from Mother Teresa was, "How can there be too many children? That's like saying there are too many flowers." (Mary B. Worthington, Catholic News Herald)

Visitors to Belmont Abbey College last week had the opportunity to view writings by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, photos and biographical notes as part of a traveling display about the beloved saint that aims to spread devotion to her and to inspire vocations.

In September, the display was at the annual Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte and also traveled to several area schools and parishes. Last week, it spent two days at Belmont Abbey College.

Easels displaying four large posters each depicting photos, writings and biographical notes of the life of Mother Teresa were on display in the Haid Ballroom at the college. Students, staff and community members alike dropped in to visit the exhibit, be inspired by Mother Teresa's life, and receive a memento holy card.

"She is a beautiful example of trust in God and how He provides if we just let Him," said Darby Robichaux, a junior from Louisiana. "I didn't realize the scope of the mission of the Missionaries of Charity," he continued, referring to the many little-known branches of the Missionaries of Charity such as lay brothers and contemplative sisters.

Tricia Stevenson, the director of campus ministry for Belmont Abbey College, was responsible for bringing the display to the school.

"It is very interesting to see pictures spanning her whole life, especially the pictures of when she was young in her native garb," said Stevenson. "We usually see a tiny person, all wrinkly... but she grew into that image that we all have in our head. All the saints were once regular people!"

Steve and Beth Manning, members of St. Gabriel in Charlotte and Missionaries of Charity volunteers for many years, have been handling the schedule for the traveling display with the single mission of inspiring sanctity in others through Mother Teresa's life.

"By reading the life story of Blessed Teresa, you are touched by her humility and her desire to be like Christ," said Beth Manning. "She inspires people to begin to think about helping others and her wisdom brings out the best in people. We feel so privileged to be chosen to carry her exhibit to places she wants to be. People are just opening their arms to her and are so excited to be able to read about Blessed Teresa."

If your parish or school is interested in opening to host the display, contact the Mannings at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

— Mary B. Worthington, correspondent