Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu (1910–1997), was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary. Renowned for her humanitarian work, she dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick in Calcutta, India. Founding the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa provided care, compassion, and support to those in need. Her selfless devotion earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and she is remembered as a symbol of compassion and service worldwide.
Growing up in a devout Catholic family, young Anjezë demonstrated an early inclination towards a religious life. At the age of 12, she felt a calling to dedicate her life to the service of God and others. Inspired by the tales of missionaries, she joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India.
In 1928, at the age of 18, Anjezë left her family and home to pursue her calling in Ireland. After a brief period of training with the Sisters of Loreto, she arrived in India in 1929. Taking the name Sister Teresa, she began her work as a teacher at St. Mary’s High School in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). Her commitment to education and her care for the students were evident, and she quickly rose to become the school’s principal.
However, Sister Teresa’s life took a transformative turn on September 10, 1946, during a train ride to Darjeeling. She experienced what she described as a “call within a call,” a profound spiritual revelation urging her to leave the convent and live among the poor, serving the destitute and abandoned in the slums of Kolkata. Following this inner calling, Mother Teresa received permission from her superiors and embarked on a new chapter in her life.
In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation dedicated to the service of the “poorest of the poor.” The mission’s focus was on those who had been forgotten and neglected, providing them with love, care, and dignity. The early days were challenging, as Mother Teresa and her small group of followers faced poverty and opposition. Yet, with unwavering determination, they continued their work.
The Missionaries of Charity soon expanded beyond Kolkata, establishing centers worldwide to address the needs of the impoverished, sick, and marginalized. Mother Teresa’s unique approach was rooted in love, compassion, and a deep sense of the sacredness of every individual. She once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
One of Mother Teresa’s most iconic contributions was the establishment of Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart), a hospice for the dying destitutes in Kolkata. Here, individuals who had been abandoned or were suffering from terminal illnesses found solace and care in their final moments. Mother Teresa and her sisters provided not only physical comfort but also emotional and spiritual support, ensuring that every person received love and dignity in their last days.
Mother Teresa’s work did not go unnoticed. She received widespread recognition, and her efforts gained international acclaim. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her “work in bringing help to suffering humanity.” The Nobel Committee praised her “selfless efforts” and described her as an “angel of mercy.”
Despite the accolades, Mother Teresa remained humble and focused on her mission. She used the prize money from the Nobel Peace Prize to fund the Missionaries of Charity’s charitable activities. Her acceptance speech emphasized the importance of love and compassion in addressing the world’s problems, stating, “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
As Mother Teresa’s influence grew, so did the reach of the Missionaries of Charity. The congregation expanded its operations to various countries, including the United States, where they established centers to address homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Mother Teresa’s commitment to serving humanity knew no borders, and her message resonated with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.
Despite her global recognition, Mother Teresa faced criticism as well. Some questioned the quality of care provided in her institutions, and others raised concerns about her stance on issues such as abortion and contraception. Mother Teresa, however, remained steadfast in her convictions, focusing on the core principles of love, compassion, and service.
In 1997, at the age of 87, Mother Teresa passed away. Her death marked the end of an era, but her legacy continued to inspire millions around the world. The Missionaries of Charity, under the guidance of Sister Nirmala, who succeeded Mother Teresa as the head of the congregation, continued their work.
In 2003, Mother Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II, a significant step towards her canonization as a saint. The Catholic Church recognized the miraculous healing of an Indian woman suffering from a tumor as a result of Mother Teresa’s intercession. In 2016, Pope Francis declared Mother Teresa a saint, honoring her life of dedicated service and selflessness.
Mother Teresa’s life and legacy extend far beyond the walls of the institutions she founded. She left behind a powerful message that transcends religious and cultural boundaries, emphasizing the importance of love, compassion, and service to the less fortunate. Her canonization affirmed her place in history as a saint, but her impact on humanity goes beyond religious affiliations, making her a global symbol of selfless devotion to the welfare of others. Mother Teresa’s extraordinary journey from a young Albanian girl to a revered figure in the annals of human history is a testament to the transformative power of love and compassion.
