Mother Teresa: A Symbol of Compassion and Service

Early Life and Calling

Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was an Albanian Catholic nun who dedicated her life to serving the poorest and most vulnerable in India. Born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, North Macedonia (then part of the Ottoman Empire), she felt called to religious life at a young age.

Founder of the Missionaries of Charity

In 1928, Mother Teresa left her home and joined the Loreto order of nuns in Ireland. After serving as a teacher in Calcutta for 17 years, she received a divine calling in 1948 to leave the convent and start a new order dedicated to serving the poor.

With the support of Archbishop Ferdinand Perier, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. The order quickly grew, and by the time of Mother Teresa's death in 1997, there were over 4,500 sisters serving in 133 countries worldwide.

Missionary Work and Legacy

Mother Teresa's missionary work was characterized by her unwavering compassion, humility, and practical service. She and her sisters worked tirelessly in the slums, caring for the sick, the dying, the homeless, and the abandoned.

Mother Teresa's unwavering commitment to serving the poor brought her international recognition and admiration. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her "work for peace, in recognition of her tireless struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace." She was also canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2016.

Mother Teresa's legacy continues to inspire people worldwide to serve the poor and marginalized. Her message of love, compassion, and service remains a powerful reminder of the importance of helping those in need.