Who Was Mother Theresa? A Saint for Us to Remember

Part of All Saints Facts – Series.

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Mother Theresa was a missionary and a nun who gave up all comforts to serve the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India.

She is a symbol of selflessness and humanitarianism, and was declared to be a saint after her death.

Mother Theresa decided to serve the Church by 18 years of age.

Mother Theresa was born on August 26, 1910 in what is now Northern Macedonia. She left home to join the Sisters of Loreto – a religious congregation of women dedicated to education, founded in 1609.

A “Call Within a Call”

In Christianity, people are “called” to sacrifice for the benefit of others. It is called a vocation. Central to Christian Philosophy, the idea of vocation recognizes that each person is created with special talents and gifts that direct us to a way of life that spreads the most love. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being.”

In 1946, while traveling in India, Mother Theresa became inspired to help the poor in the slums of Calcutta. She called it a “call within a call” because she was already a nun.

Missionaries of Charity:

In response to her calling, Mother Theresa received special permission from the pope to leave her convent and founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. The order’s primary mission was to serve the destitute, dying, and those suffering from diseases.

The Missionaries of Charity grew rapidly and eventually established missions in India and around the world.

Care for the Poor and Sick:

Mother Theresa and her order provided care and support to the most vulnerable, including the homeless, lepers, orphans, and those dying in the streets. They offered food, clothing, and medical care to those in need.

Copyright: Mary Ellen Mark – Mother Theresa

She also established a Home for the Dying in Calcutta, later known as Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart). Pure Heart helps the abandoned receive care in their final moments.

Recognition and Awards:

Mother Theresa’s work earned international recognition and numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, in recognition of her efforts to alleviate human suffering.

She received other honors, like the Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States.

Expanding the Mission:

The Missionaries of Charity expanded its work beyond India to countries, homes, clinics, and schools in places as diverse as the United States, Ethiopia, and Haiti.

Mother Theresa’s influence and the impact of her work extended well beyond the boundaries of her order, inspiring people worldwide to engage in charitable and humanitarian activities.

Canonization:

Mother Theresa was beatified by the Catholic Church in 2003, which is a step towards sainthood. She was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis on September 4, 2016.

Mother Theresa’s life and works were dedicated to selflessness, love, and a deep commitment to alleviating human suffering. Her legacy continues through the Missionaries of Charity and the countless individuals she has inspired to follow her path of service to the most marginalized and vulnerable in society. She remains an enduring symbol of compassion and devotion to the less fortunate.