Early Life and Calling

Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, popularly known as Mother Teresa, was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary who founded Missionaries of Charity. She was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, now part of North Macedonia. She was the youngest of three children in an Albanian family. Her father Nikola, who was a successful businessman, died in 1919 when she was eight years old, and her mother, Dranafile Bojaxhiu, was a homemaker. From an early age, Teresa showed great interest in religious studies and felt a calling to serve God and help others. She received her early education at local schools in Skopje. At the age of 12, she was convinced to become a missionary and spread God’s love by serving the needy.

Joining the Sisters of Loreto

In 1928, Teresa left her home to become a missionary at the age of 18. She joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns, to learn English for her mission in India. She traveled to Ireland and Darjeeling, India, where she taught at a school in Calcutta and later became its headmistress. After reaching India, she took her first religious vows and chose the name Sister Mary Teresa in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux in 1931. She learned Bengali and English during this time, which later became valuable in her missionary works. She witnessed immense suffering and poverty during the Bengal famine of 1943 and the violence of the 1946 Direct Action Day, which urged her to leave the convent and serve the poorest of the poor in the slums.

Founding Missionaries of Charity

In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation devoted to uplifting the poor, homeless, crippled, blind, lepers, and all those people who feel unwanted. The Missionaries of Charity expanded rapidly and established multiple homes, orphanages, and centers worldwide. The Missionaries of Charity also set up centers to care for people suffering from leprosy, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. They organized centers in many nations, including the United States, Africa, and Europe, caring for people in need regardless of nationality, religion, or ethnicity. One of Mother Teresa’s most notable contributions was her establishment of the “Kalighat,” a hospice where the terminally ill and abandoned could spend their final days in comfort and care. She also opened homes for the destitute and orphans, where they not only received shelter but also education and support to help individuals break free from the cycle of poverty. Teresa also ran schools, vocational training centers, and soup kitchens to empower the needy.

Awards and Recognition

Mother Teresa received numerous awards and honors throughout her life for her dedication to helping people who were needy and impoverished. In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to the poor, sick, and dying. In 1980, Mother Teresa received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, for her tireless efforts to uplift the lives of the poorest of the poor in India. Posthumously, Mother Teresa was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Congress for her outstanding effort and global impact.

Declining Health and Passing

Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997, at the age of 87 in Calcutta. Before her passing, she had been dealing with health issues. In 1983, she suffered from a heart attack, and following a second heart attack, she received a pacemaker. Although she got heart surgery, her health was declining, and in March 1997, she resigned as head of the Missionaries of Charity. Her funeral was held in Calcutta by the Indian government in gratitude for her efforts for the indigent. Her funeral was attended by many people from around the world who came to honor her memory. Even after her death, Mother Teresa’s love, compassion, and selfless service continue to inspire and impact people from around the globe.