The most recent issue of TIME magazine features a story about St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her crises of faith. Several letters to confessors and spiritual directors were uncovered when investigating the cause for her sainthood. The TIME article, as well as others I have read in newspapers, express surpise that such a saintly person could have significant doubts about their faith.
People are saints because they carry on the faith in spite of the doubts that they have. Look at the biographies and writings of Sts. Peter and Paul. In spite of human weaknesses (many of which are described in Scripture), they worked to spread Christianity. Their efforts to do so resulted in their martyrdom.
Why should anyone be surprised that St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta had struggles in faith? She witnessed horrendous poverty and sickness virutally every day of her life. She must have wondered how God could allow such misery to exist in the world. God also provides people like St. Teresa of Calcutta to work to reduce human pain and suffering - in spite of deep philosophical questions.
St. Teresa of Calcutta is a saint because of her God-given ability to work closely with the poorest and sickest people of the world in spite of her personal questions regarding the reasons for the suffering of the people to whom she and her Sisters of Charity continue to minister.
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