• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
An archival photo of St. Teresa of Kolkata. (Courtesy of Carmel Communications)

Movie Review: ‘Mother Teresa: No Greater Love’

September 28, 2022
By John Mulderig
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Movie & Television Reviews

NEW YORK – The life of one of the most compelling of modern saints is recounted in the inspiring documentary “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love” (Fathom, in select theaters Oct. 3-4). Its release timed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its subject’s death, aged 87, the film also provides an exploration of her long-lasting legacy.

An archival photo of St. Teresa of Kolkata with an infant. (Courtesy of Carmel Communications)

Filmmaker David Naglieri uses archival footage and dramatizations to chronicle the famed nun’s journey from obscurity to global celebrity. Born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in what is now North Macedonia, she was the daughter of a prosperous and politically involved Kosovar businessman and his deeply pious wife.

Her initial vocation was to the education-oriented Sisters of Loreto. But a mystical experience she termed “the call within the call” eventually led the successful teacher to undertake a very different mission: tireless work among the poorest of the poor in India and beyond. Steady growth in the number of her co-workers in this challenging endeavor resulted in the establishment of the Missionaries of Charity in 1950.

Naglieri employs Mother Teresa’s biography as a framework within which to examine the current activities of the Missionaries. His globetrotting survey of their many projects – they staff more than 750 facilities around the world – ranges from South America and Haiti to the United States, Africa, the Philippines and, of course, the Subcontinent, where it all began.

Boldly pro-life, Mother Teresa was also a pioneer in providing fearless medical care to AIDS patients in the early days of the disease, a time when many people shunned them. Another topic Naglieri touches on is her longstanding friendship with St. John Paul II, a bond of mutual understanding and appreciation that required little verbal expression.

Fans of Hollywood movies will be especially intrigued by an interview with actor Mark Wahlberg’s brother Jim. Once an addict and a convict, he attributes his devout Catholic faith – and thus the radical reform of his life – to a visit Mother Teresa paid to the prison in which he was incarcerated.

Now a religious family made up of several branches, all dedicated to the faithful following of their founder’s demanding spirituality, the Missionaries continue to tend to the needs of the forgotten and the outcast. Uplifting but overlong, this study of their heroic service – which was produced by the Knights of Columbus – is a soul-nourishing experience.

Look for: A celebration of sanctity.

Look out for: Potentially disturbing images of civil strife and illness and mature themes.

The Catholic Moviegoer’s guidance is T – suitable for mature teens. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Read More Movie & Television Reviews

Movie Review: ‘Lilo & Stitch’

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon

Movie Review: ‘Sinners’

Movie Review: ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’

A new documentary, ‘The Inner Sea,’ tells a story of adoption, music and love

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon

Copyright © 2022 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

John Mulderig

Formerly a staff member for Catholic News Service, John Mulderig has been reviewing visual media from a Catholic perspective for 15 years. His column is syndicated by Catholic Review Media. Follow his reviews on Twitter @CatholicMovie.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Bishop Lewandowski installed as bishop of Providence

  • Pope names new chancellor of institute for marriage, family sciences

  • Trump, Vance meet Pope Leo XIV’s brother in Oval Office

  • ‘Bishop Bruce’ forged strong bonds with Baltimore in challenging times, had heart of a pastor

  • A smiling Pope Leo waves to a crowd in St. Peter's Square A Ticket to Pope Leo’s First Papal Audience

| CURRENT EDITION |

| Remembering Pope Francis |

With Laudato Si’, Pope Francis firmly planted ecology into Catholic social teaching

U.S. pilgrims to Havana recall Francis’ impact in Cuba 10 years after visit

Radio Interview: Meet the Mount St. Mary’s graduate who served as a lector at papal funeral

Georgetown’s final ‘Francis Factor’ panel remembers late pope’s legacy

Francis’ final gift to Gaza: Popemobile will be transformed into mobile clinic for children

| Vatican News |

10 real quotes that Pope Leo has actually said

Pope Leo’s Creole roots raise hopes for Black American sainthood causes 

With Laudato Si’, Pope Francis firmly planted ecology into Catholic social teaching

Pope advances sainthood cause of missionaries killed trying to save Indigenous

Pope Leo XIV, in one of first appointments, names San Diego auxiliary bishop to head diocese

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

| Movie & Television Reviews |

Movie Review: ‘Lilo & Stitch’

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon

Movie Review: ‘Sinners’

Movie Review: ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’

A new documentary, ‘The Inner Sea,’ tells a story of adoption, music and love

| En español |

El ‘Obispo Bruce’ forjó fuertes lazos con Baltimore en tiempos difíciles y tenía corazón de pastor

El Papa León comienza su pontificado pidiendo una ‘Iglesia unida’ en un mundo herido

El deseo del obispo Bruce Lewandowski, “Cuiden bien a los jóvenes.”

El cardenal Prevost, misionero de EEUU, es elegido Papa y toma el nombre de León XIV

Invocando al Espíritu Santo y la intercesión de todos los santos, los cardenales inician el cónclave

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • 10 real quotes that Pope Leo has actually said
  • Utah diocese’s Catholic refugee program gets helping hand from greater community
  • Scrambled eggs in the car, Confirmation joy, and Wordle losses (7 Quick Takes)
  • Pope Leo’s Creole roots raise hopes for Black American sainthood causes 
  • U.S. bishops urge young people to ‘lead the way’ on climate crisis
  • Popular priest podcaster takes ‘Parables’ tour cross-country to sold-out crowds
  • With Laudato Si’, Pope Francis firmly planted ecology into Catholic social teaching
  • House OKs Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’; Catholic leaders urge lawmakers to promote common good
  • Story behind beatification of Poland’s Father Stanislaw Streich is one of quiet courage

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED