Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa, whose childhood name was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, a city that was then part of the Ottoman Empire (now in North Macedonia). She is remembered as one of the most inspiring and compassionate figures of the 20th century. Her deep love for humanity and her tireless work for the poor, sick, and dying made her a symbol of selflessness. She devoted her entire life to helping the most vulnerable people in society, particularly in India. Mother Teresa's life is a story of deep faith, love, and commitment to the service of others.

Early Life and Family

Mother Teresa was born into a devout Roman Catholic family of Albanian descent. Her father, Nikollë Bojaxhiu, was a businessman involved in construction and trade, known for his generosity and community spirit. Her mother, Dranafile Bojaxhiu, was a deeply religious woman who took care of her three children with love and devotion. Dranafile played a major role in shaping young Anjezë’s values, especially the importance of helping those in need.

Mother Teresa was the youngest of three siblings. Her mother taught her to be compassionate, often taking the children along to visit the poor and sick in their community. These early experiences sowed the seeds of empathy and service in Mother Teresa's heart. When her father passed away unexpectedly when she was only eight years old, the family struggled financially, but her mother's faith and strength kept them going. Her mother's unwavering support and religious teachings left a lasting impression on Teresa.

From a young age, Teresa showed a strong interest in religious life. By the time she was 12, she felt a calling to serve God and help others through missionary work. At the age of 18, she left her home in Skopje to join the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India. She first went to Dublin, Ireland, for her religious training, and in 1929, she was sent to Calcutta, India.

Anjezë took the name Sister Teresa, in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries. She began her work in Calcutta by teaching at St. Mary's School for girls, a school run by the Sisters of Loreto. For nearly 20 years, she taught there and eventually became the headmistress. Although she lived a relatively comfortable life within the convent, she was deeply moved by the extreme poverty and suffering she saw in the streets of Calcutta. This experience began to stir in her a desire to do more for the poor.

In 1946, while on a train journey to the Himalayan town of Darjeeling for a retreat, Sister Teresa experienced what she called a "call within a call." She felt that God was calling her to leave the convent and live among the poorest of the poor, offering them love and care. She described this moment as a profound spiritual experience that led her to dedicate herself to serving the most neglected people in society.

In 1948, after receiving permission from the Vatican, she left the Sisters of Loreto and began her work in the slums of Calcutta. She traded her traditional Loreto habit for a simple white cotton sari with a blue border, which would later become the signature uniform of her new order. With no funding, but with deep faith, she started by teaching poor children to read and care for the sick and dying.

Mother Teresa never married and did not have children. She believed that her entire life was meant to be in the service of others, particularly the poor and suffering. She often referred to herself as "a pencil in the hand of God," emphasizing that she was simply doing God's work. Her strong religious faith guided her actions, and she remained committed to Catholic teachings throughout her life, including her firm opposition to abortion and contraception.

Founding the Missionaries of Charity

In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation focused on serving "the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for." The congregation started with just 12 members, but it quickly grew, attracting many volunteers and sisters who shared her vision.

The Missionaries of Charity became well-known for their work in Calcutta's poorest neighborhoods. They set up homes for the dying, such as the Kalighat Home for the Dying, where they provided basic medical care and dignity to those in their final days. Mother Teresa believed that everyone deserved to die with dignity and love, no matter how poor or sick they were. Her order also opened schools, leprosy clinics, and orphanages to care for those who had no one else.

Selfless Service

Mother Teresa's life was marked by her tireless dedication to helping the poor. She worked day and night, often putting her own health at risk, to serve those in need. She did not hesitate to touch the untouchables, such as lepers, or to comfort the dying, regardless of their religion or background. Her compassion extended beyond religious boundaries, as she believed that every person was a child of God, deserving of love and care.

As her work gained international attention, the Missionaries of Charity spread across the world. By the time of her death, the order had over 4,500 sisters and was operating in over 130 countries. They cared for people in slums, disaster zones, and war-torn regions, helping those affected by poverty, illness, and homelessness.

Recognition and Criticism

Mother Teresa received numerous awards for her work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Despite the recognition, she remained humble, often deflecting praise and attributing all her achievements to God. In her Nobel Prize acceptance speech, she spoke about the importance of showing love and care to every person, especially the most vulnerable.

Though widely admired, she also faced criticism. Some argued that the conditions in her care centers were inadequate and that she did not focus on addressing the root causes of poverty. However, Mother Teresa always maintained that her mission was to provide immediate care and love to those in need, rather than focus on systemic issues.

Death and Legacy

Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997, in Calcutta, India, at the age of 87. Her death was mourned worldwide, and she was remembered as a symbol of selfless love and compassion. In 2016, she was canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by the Roman Catholic Church, less than 20 years after her death.

Mother Teresa's legacy continues through the work of the Missionaries of Charity, which still serves the poorest of the poor around the world. Her life remains an inspiration to millions, reminding us that small acts of love and kindness can have a profound impact. Her words, "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love," encapsulate the heart of her message and work.