Mother Teresa, also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was a Catholic nun who dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, an organization that serves people living in poverty in over 130 countries around the world. Mother Teresa’s life and work have inspired countless people around the world and have made a profound impact on the lives of those she served.
Early Life and Career
Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia in 1910. She felt a calling to religious life at an early age and joined the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland at the age of 18. She was sent to India, where she spent most of her life serving the poor.
In 1948, Mother Teresa felt a strong call to leave the convent and serve the poorest of the poor. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, which began as a small group of nuns serving the sick and dying in the slums of Calcutta.
Missionaries of Charity
The Missionaries of Charity grew rapidly, and by the time of Mother Teresa’s death in 1997, it had over 4,000 nuns serving people in poverty around the world. The organization runs hospices, orphanages, and schools for the poor, as well as programs to help people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis.
Mother Teresa’s work with the Missionaries of Charity earned her worldwide recognition and numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. However, she remained humble throughout her life, always crediting her work to God’s grace.
Legacy and Canonization
Mother Teresa died in 1997 at the age of 87. She was beatified by the Catholic Church in 2003 and canonized as a saint in 2016. Her legacy continues to inspire people around the world to serve those in need with compassion and love.
Mother Teresa’s life and work remind us of the power of service and compassion. Her tireless dedication to the poor and marginalized serves as an example to us all, and her legacy continues to inspire people of all faiths and backgrounds to serve others with love and humility.