Picture a tiny woman in a simple white sari, radiating love and changing the world with her compassion—meet Mother Teresa! Born in 1910 in Skopje, she dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor, founding the Missionaries of Charity and inspiring millions with her selfless devotion. Her story is a testament to how one person’s faith can light up the darkest corners of humanity.
From Calcutta’s slums to global recognition, Mother Teresa’s unwavering commitment to the destitute earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and sainthood in 2016. Let’s dive into her extraordinary life, her tireless work, and the legacy that continues to challenge us to love without limits.
The Making of Mother Teresa
Born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje, now North Macedonia, Mother Teresa felt a calling to serve God early on. At 18, she joined the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland, adopting the name Sister Mary Teresa. By 1929, she arrived in India, teaching at a convent school in Calcutta. But the city’s poverty stirred her soul, leading her to seek a new path of direct service to the poor.
In 1946, during a train journey, she received what she called a “call within a call” to leave the convent and live among the poorest. With permission from the Vatican, she began her mission in 1948, trading her nun’s habit for a simple sari and stepping into Calcutta’s slums to serve the forgotten.
Mother Teresa’s Unforgettable Works
Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, a religious congregation dedicated to serving “the poorest of the poor.” The order grew from a small group in Calcutta to a global network, establishing homes for the dying, orphanages, and hospices. Her first major initiative, Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart), opened in 1952 as a home for the destitute to die with dignity, offering care to those rejected by hospitals.
She also created Shishu Bhavan, children’s homes for orphans and abandoned babies, and mobile clinics to treat leprosy patients shunned by society. Her approach was simple yet profound: see Christ in every suffering person. This philosophy drove her to expand her work to over 130 countries, tackling poverty, disease, and loneliness with hands-on love.
Her style was not about grand gestures but small acts of kindness. Whether washing sores or holding a dying person’s hand, Mother Teresa’s work was rooted in humility and faith. Critics sometimes questioned her methods or funding, but her focus remained on individual dignity, making her a unique figure in humanitarian history.
Why Mother Teresa Matters
Mother Teresa’s impact transcends borders and faiths. She showed the world that compassion could bridge divides, inspiring countless individuals to volunteer, donate, or simply be kinder. Her Missionaries of Charity continue to serve millions, carrying forward her vision of love in action. Canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016, her legacy challenges us to find the courage to help those society overlooks.
Her life reminds us that greatness lies in serving others, no matter how small the act. From world leaders to everyday people, her example pushes us to rethink what it means to live with purpose and empathy.
About Mother Teresa
- Born: August 26, 1910, Skopje, North Macedonia
- Founded: Missionaries of Charity, 1950
- Award: Nobel Peace Prize, 1979
- Canonized: September 4, 2016
Ready to be inspired? Learn more about Mother Teresa’s incredible work and let her story spark a little more love in your life!