Mother Teresa took a well-loved prayer poem by Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890), originally titled “Radiating Christ” and changed the singular to plural, and prayed it every day after Communion with her Sisters of Charity. This prayer, renamed the Fragrance Prayer, reflects her deep spirituality and commitment to spreading love and compassion.
Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go. Flood our souls with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly, that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through us, and be so in us, that every person we should come in contact with may feel your presence in our soul. Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus.
Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine; so, to shine as to be a light to others; the light, Jesus, will be all from you. None of it will be ours. It will be you shining on others through us.
Let us thus praise you in the way you love best, by shining on those around us. Let us preach you without preaching not by words, but by our example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do, the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear for you. Amen.
This powerful prayer emphasizes living a life that demonstrates faith and love so clearly that people see Christ through you, rather than just hearing words about Him. It is a call to be a living example of divine love, reflecting Jesus’ presence through actions, compassion, and a spirit that influences others positively, making your life a “preaching” through character and deeds.
In other words, “Preach without preaching” is to share your faith not through sermons or spoken words, but through your very being and conduct.
“Not by words but by our example” Actions speak louder than words, your life itself is the message.
“Catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do” Your actions have a contagious, compelling power that draws others in, creating a connection through shared humanity and love.
