Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa (1910–1997), born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary of Albanian descent who became a global symbol of selfless compassion and humanitarian work. She is best known for her work among the poor and sick in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, where she founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, an organization dedicated to caring for “the poorest of the poor.” Her lifetime of service earned her widespread admiration, and she was canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by the Roman Catholic Church in 2016.

Early Life and Religious Calling
Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which at the time was part of the Ottoman Empire (today North Macedonia). She was the youngest of three children in a devout Catholic family. Her father died when she was eight years old, leaving the family in financial hardship.

From a young age, she was deeply religious, and by the time she was 12, she felt a calling to a life of religious service. At 18, she left her family to join the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India. She was sent to Calcutta, where she began teaching at St. Mary’s School for girls in 1929. She took her religious vows in 1931, adopting the name Teresa after Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries.

The “Call Within a Call”
Mother Teresa experienced what she later described as a “call within a call” in 1946 while traveling to the Loreto convent in Darjeeling. She felt a profound spiritual urge to leave the relative comfort of the convent and dedicate her life to working among the poor and destitute.

In 1948, she left the Loreto order and ventured into the slums of Calcutta, where she began her mission of caring for the poorest and sickest people in the city. She adopted Indian citizenship, and after basic medical training, she started caring for the poor, particularly those dying in the streets.

Founding of the Missionaries of Charity (1950)
In 1950, with the approval of the Vatican, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation. Its mission was to care for “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.”

The congregation grew rapidly, eventually expanding to over 130 countries. By the time of her death in 1997, the Missionaries of Charity had more than 4,000 nuns, as well as thousands of volunteers and lay workers running hospices, orphanages, and leper houses worldwide.

Humanitarian Work
Mother Teresa’s work focused on the marginalized and the most vulnerable members of society. Some of her most significant contributions include:

Kalighat Home for the Dying: In 1952, she opened her first hospice in a former Hindu temple dedicated to Kali, the goddess of death. It was named Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart). Here, the dying, regardless of their religion or background, were cared for with dignity and love in their final days.

Leprosy Work: She established clinics and homes for lepers, recognizing the intense stigma and suffering they endured. Leprosy was a major focus of her work, and she provided medical care and rehabilitation for those affected.

Homes for Orphans and the Homeless: Mother Teresa opened orphanages, including Shishu Bhavan, and shelters for the homeless and abandoned, offering a place of refuge and care for children and adults who had nowhere else to turn.

Global Mission: Beyond Calcutta, the Missionaries of Charity expanded across the world, opening missions to care for the poor, refugees, victims of natural disasters, and AIDS patients. Mother Teresa often traveled internationally to open new missions and bring attention to humanitarian crises.

Recognition and Awards
Mother Teresa’s humanitarian work earned her global recognition, and she became a symbol of compassion and selfless service. Some of the major honors and awards she received include:

Nobel Peace Prize (1979): Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her tireless efforts to help the poor and suffering. She accepted the prize “in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, of the crippled, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for.” She used the prize money to further her work with the poor.

Padma Shri (1962): One of India’s highest civilian honors, awarded for her humanitarian efforts in the country.

Order of Merit (1983): Given by Queen Elizabeth II, one of the highest honors in the UK.

Criticism and Controversy
Despite her widespread admiration, Mother Teresa also faced criticism:

Conditions in Hospices: Critics, including writer Christopher Hitchens and physician Aroup Chatterjee, argued that her hospices did not provide adequate medical care and that the focus on suffering and dying with dignity did not emphasize medical treatment enough. They accused her of glorifying suffering rather than alleviating it.

Opposition to Abortion and Contraception: As a devout Roman Catholic, Mother Teresa was firmly opposed to abortion and contraception. She voiced these views strongly, even when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, where she described abortion as “the greatest destroyer of peace.”

Use of Donations: Some have questioned how the substantial donations the Missionaries of Charity received were used, arguing that more funds should have been directed toward improving care and medical facilities.

Later Years and Death
In her later years, Mother Teresa struggled with health issues, including heart problems, but continued her work for as long as possible. She stepped down as the head of the Missionaries of Charity in 1997, and on September 5, 1997, she passed away in Calcutta at the age of 87. Her death marked the end of a life dedicated to serving others, and she was mourned worldwide.

Canonization and Sainthood:
In 2003, just six years after her death, Mother Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II, the first step toward sainthood, in a ceremony attended by thousands. She was canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by Pope Francis on September 4, 2016. Her feast day is celebrated on September 5, the anniversary of her death.

Legacy
Mother Teresa’s legacy is one of immense compassion and devotion to the poor. Her life’s work continues through the Missionaries of Charity, which operates globally, providing care for the sick, homeless, and dying. She remains an iconic figure of charity, humility, and service to humanity.

Though her methods and views have sparked debate, Mother Teresa’s dedication to the marginalized and vulnerable left an indelible mark on the world, and she continues to inspire millions to live lives of compassion and service.

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