Mother Teresa – The Saint of the Gutters

Born: August 26, 1910
Died: September 5, 1997

1. Early Life and Childhood

Mother Teresa, originally named Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was born in Skopje in 1910. Raised in a devout Albanian Catholic family, her mother’s compassion and her father’s leadership influenced her deeply. After her father’s death at age eight, her spiritual growth continued under her mother’s example.

2. Religious Calling and Joining the Loreto Order

At 18, Anjezë left home to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland and later moved to India to begin her novitiate. There, she became Sister Mary Teresa and began teaching at a convent school in Calcutta. In 1946, she experienced a “call within a call” to serve the poorest of the poor.

3. Founding the Missionaries of Charity

In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity. She wore a white sari with blue borders and began caring for the destitute in Calcutta. Her mission: “Wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor.” Her work grew as she opened homes for the dying, orphanages, and leprosy clinics.

4. Service to the Poor and the Dying

Mother Teresa opened the Nirmal Hriday home for the dying, giving dignity and comfort to people in their final days. She and her nuns personally cleaned wounds, fed the hungry, and offered love to the abandoned. She treated every human as a reflection of God’s love.

5. Expansion of Her Mission Worldwide

Her work expanded internationally throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Homes and clinics opened in Venezuela, Africa, Europe, and the U.S. She lived in poverty and served with simplicity, becoming a symbol of compassion and Christian love across faiths and nations.

6. Awards, Honors, and Global Recognition

• Padma Shri (1962)
• Nehru Peace Prize (1969)
• Bharat Ratna (1980)
• Nobel Peace Prize (1979)

When awarded the Nobel Prize, she declined the banquet and asked that the funds be used to help the poor. Her speech focused on love and peace beginning at home.

7. Challenges and Criticisms

Some critics questioned her practices and views on suffering and medical care. Despite controversies, many defended her work and intentions. Mother Teresa responded with humility, believing only God could judge her work.

8. Final Years and Death

In the 1990s, her health declined, yet she continued to guide her order. She passed away in 1997 in Calcutta. Her death was mourned worldwide, and the Government of India gave her a state funeral in recognition of her selfless service.

9. Canonization and Sainthood

Mother Teresa was beatified in 2003 and canonized in 2016 as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Two miracles were recognized by the Vatican, affirming her sainthood in the Catholic Church.

10. Legacy and Inspiration

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

Her legacy continues through the Missionaries of Charity, active in over 130 countries. Her message of love, service, and humility remains a beacon for those committed to helping others.

Conclusion

Mother Teresa’s life reminds us that one person, through compassion and unwavering faith, can change the world. She lived for others and left behind a movement of mercy that still impacts millions.