Examining Mother Teresa’s narrative as prophetic: A case study

• Main Author: Kristen Majocha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Polskie Towarzystwo Retoryczne/ Polish Rhetoric Society 2018-03-01
• Series: Res Rhetorica
• Online Access: http://resrhetorica.com/index.php/RR/article/view/258

This paper examines a rhetorical case - Mother Teresa's narrative - for evidence of prophetic qualities, including social calls to action. Mother Teresa's story is considered through established methods of investigating prophecy, such as themes of announcements of judgment and reason and the Messenger formula. Her rhetoric is also examined through the theoretical lens of Walter Fisher's narrative coherence for evidence of biblical ideals and body language. Her lived experiences are also considered evidence of her prophetic nature. Mother Teresa's narrative is read and better valued as part of a wider context of social action consistent with prophecy.