Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which is now the capital of North Macedonia. Her birth name was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. She was the youngest of the three children born to Nikola and Dranafile Bojaxhiu. Her family was of Albanian descent and they were part of the Roman Catholic minority in the region. Her father died when she was eight years old, which left the family in financial difficulties. Her early years were marked with struggles, but she maintained a strong faith throughout her life.

At the age of 18, Mother Teresa left home in 1928 to join the Sisters of Loreto in Rathfarnham, Ireland. She chose this religious order because of their missionary work in India. After a few months of training in Dublin, she was sent to Darjeeling, India, to begin her novitiate. Here, she learned Bengali and taught at St. Teresa’s School near her convent. This was the beginning of her lifelong commitment to the people of India and her calling to help the poorest of the poor.

After receiving permission from the Vatican, Mother Teresa officially established the Missionaries of Charity on October 7, 1950. The Missionaries of Charity was founded as a religious congregation for women dedicated to helping those in greatest need. The mission of the group was to care for, and provide for, 'the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.'

On December 10, 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work 'to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitutes a threat to peace.' She accepted the award 'in the name of the hungry, of the naked, of the homeless, of the crippled, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.' Instead of the conventional banquet given to laureates, she asked that the $192,000 fund be given to the poor in India.

On February 3, 1986, Pope John Paul II visited Kolkata (Calcutta) and met with Mother Teresa. This meeting was significant as it showcased the papal support for her mission and the work she was doing. The Pope visited the Home for the Dying and Destitute, which was one of the first homes opened by Mother Teresa for the care of the sick and the dying. His visit drew significant media attention and brought more global recognition to her efforts in aiding the poorest of the poor.

On March 13, 1997, Mother Teresa stepped down from her position as head of the Missionaries of Charity due to declining health. She had led the organization for nearly 47 years, during which it grew worldwide and reached out to 'the poorest of the poor' all over the world. Sister Nirmala Joshi was elected as her successor to continue the work after her resignation. Despite stepping down, Mother Teresa continued to be actively involved with the mission's activities until her death later that year.

Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997, at the age of 87 in Kolkata, India. Her death was mourned worldwide as she was regarded as a symbol of charitable self-sacrifice. Her work with the poor and the sick had earned her global recognition and many prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize. She left behind a legacy of compassion and service, and her Missionaries of Charity, which had grown to more than 4,000 nuns globally, continued her mission. Her funeral was attended by dignitaries from around the world.

On October 19, 2003, Mother Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II in a ceremony at the Vatican. Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into heaven and ability to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name. The beatification was a significant step in her path to sainthood, as one miracle attributed to her intercession had been recognized by the Church. The event was witnessed by thousands, and she was given the title 'Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.'

Mother Teresa was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis at a ceremony in St. Peter's Square on September 4, 2016. The canonization came after the Church recognized a second miracle attributed to her. More than 120,000 people attended the ceremony, which honored her lifelong dedication to serving the poor and sick. She was henceforth known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Her canonization was celebrated worldwide, and she remained a powerful symbol of selfless charity and compassion in the Catholic Church and beyond.