From Publishers Weekly

When Schaefer first showed up unannounced at Mother Teresa's headquarters in Calcutta in 1995 and begged to be allowed to do a photo book of the nun's life and work, the answer was a humble but firm "no." Instead, Mother Teresa put Schaefer to work as a volunteer, changing diapers and playing with the children in one of the Missionaries of Charity's 40-odd orphanages. Over time, as Schaefer's motivations shifted from a drive to merely document to a desire to participate in the ministry, the nun permitted her to bring out the camera. The result is this unique, behind-the-scenes collection of photos from various outreach centers throughout India, including a leper colony and a hospice for the dying. Schaefer draws on her own experiences and on interviews with other volunteers, who come from many different nationalities and religious backgrounds. In all, this is a very appropriate tribute to Mother Teresa on the eve of her canonization, since it celebrates not just the woman's life, but the people who were her life's work.

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