Mother Teresa’s struggles are breaking news?

Must be a slow news weekend.

There’s a story spreading through the media (started by one, picked up and run by others), that Mother Teresa struggled with doubts and darkness. This “re-examination” of the saint’s inner spiritual life is based on a new book about her private writings.

CNN’s John King seemed shocked by this revelation that Mother Teresa was….so human. But National Catholic Reporter’s John Allen handled his questions beautifully, and reassured him…and viewers….that this is actually a confirmation that she overcame human struggles most people can relate to, and achieved personal holiness anyway. It’s good news for people who can’t relate to what seems like unruffled piety.