Mother Teresa

A Brief Biography

Mother Teresa, a name synonymous with compassion and selfless service, left an indelible mark on the world through her profound dedication to the destitute and dying. Born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, now part of North Macedonia, she entered the world as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. From her early years, she displayed an extraordinary sense of empathy and a deep-rooted desire to alleviate the suffering of others.

In 1928, at the tender age of 18, Agnes joined the Sisters of Loreto, a Catholic religious order based in Ireland. After completing her training, she journeyed to India, where she taught at St. Mary's High School in Kolkata (then Calcutta). However, it was during her time in India that she felt a profound spiritual calling to serve the poorest of the poor.

In 1946, Mother Teresa experienced what she described as a "call within a call" during a train journey to Darjeeling. She felt compelled to leave the convent and devote herself entirely to the service of the destitute and abandoned individuals living on the streets of Kolkata. This led to the establishment of the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, a religious congregation dedicated to serving the most vulnerable members of society.

The Missionaries of Charity quickly expanded under Mother Teresa's guidance, establishing homes for the sick, the dying, and the orphaned across India and eventually throughout the world. With her signature white sari and blue-bordered veil, Mother Teresa became a symbol of compassion and mercy, tirelessly ministering to those in need with unwavering dedication and love.

Throughout her life, Mother Teresa remained committed to her mission of "wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor." Her work earned her numerous awards and accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Despite her international recognition, she remained humble and focused on the needs of those she served, always emphasizing the importance of love, kindness, and compassion in the face of adversity. Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997, leaving behind a legacy of love and service that continues to inspire people of all backgrounds and beliefs to this day. Her canonization as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2016 further solidified her place as one of the most revered figures in modern history, a true embodiment of the power of selflessness and compassion to transform lives and communities.