Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Biography

Saint Teresa of Calcutta, also known as Mother Teresa, was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Albania (now modern Macedonia). She was the daughter of an Albanian businessman who tragically passed away when she was only nine years old.

From a young age, Agnes felt a strong calling to serve God and humanity. In 1928, at the age of 18, she joined the Sisters of Loreto and took the name Sister Mary Teresa. After a period of training, she was sent to India where she became a teacher in Calcutta.

However, in 1948, Sister Teresa felt a renewed and profound calling from God to work directly with the poor and destitute. With permission from her superiors, she left the convent and ventured out alone into the slums of Calcutta. It was there that she encountered extreme poverty, suffering, and a lack of medical care for the most vulnerable members of society.

Driven by her unwavering faith and compassion, Sister Teresa founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. The primary mission of this religious order was to care for the "poorest of the poor" and those who had been abandoned by society. The Missionaries of Charity started their work by caring for lepers and providing assistance in disaster-stricken areas.

Saint Teresa strongly believed that every person, regardless of their circumstances, deserved to be treated with dignity and love. She wholeheartedly dedicated her life to this mission, living among the poor and embracing a life of simplicity and self-sacrifice.

Her tireless efforts did not go unnoticed, as she received numerous accolades throughout her lifetime. In 1979, Saint Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her selfless work and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the marginalized. Prior to that, she received the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize in 1971, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1972.

Saint Teresa's impact extended far beyond the borders of India. The Missionaries of Charity, under her guidance, expanded their work to 30 countries, providing care to the most vulnerable individuals worldwide.

On September 5, 1997, at the age of 87, Saint Teresa passed away in Calcutta, India, from natural causes. Her exceptional life of love and service to others had touched the hearts and minds of millions, and her legacy continues to inspire people around the globe.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta was venerated on December 20, 2002, by Pope John Paul II, and beatified on October 19, 2003. Her beatification ceremony took place in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Rome, Italy. The miracle attributed to her beatification involved the healing of an incurable tumor in an Indian woman.

Finally, on September 4, 2016, Pope Francis canonized Saint Teresa of Calcutta, declaring her a saint of the Catholic Church. The canonization ceremony was held in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Rome, and the miracle that led to her canonization involved the healing of brain abscesses in a comatose Brazilian man.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta is widely regarded as an icon of Christian charity and remains a beloved and revered figure. Her life serves as a reminder of the profound impact one person can have in the world by dedicating themselves to the service of others. She is the patron of Calcutta, India, as well as the diocese of Calcutta and the Missionaries of Charity.