St. Teresa of Calcutta

Summary:

St. Teresa of Calcutta is a modern saint of radical charity, known for serving the poorest of the poor with love and dignity. Her life reveals that small acts done with great love can transform the world.

Bio:

  • Born: August 26, 1910, Skopje (modern-day North Macedonia)

  • Died: September 5, 1997, Calcutta, India

  • Feast Day: September 5

  • Canonization: September 4, 2016

  • Patronage: Missionaries of Charity · The Poor · The Dying

Overview:

St. Teresa of Calcutta, known as Mother Teresa, dedicated her life to serving the poorest and most abandoned. After hearing a call from Christ to serve Him in the poorest of the poor, she left her convent to live among those in need.

She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious community devoted to caring for the sick, dying, and forgotten. Despite interior spiritual darkness for much of her life, she remained faithful to her mission.

Her witness shows that holiness is found in love expressed through action, especially in serving those whom the world often overlooks.

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

Mother Teresa

Life Story:

Early Life
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born in Skopje and felt a call to religious life at a young age, eventually joining the Sisters of Loreto.

Call Within a Call
While teaching in India, she experienced a deeper call from Christ to leave the convent and serve the poorest of the poor.

Mission to the Poor
Mother Teresa began working in the streets of Calcutta, caring for the sick, dying, and abandoned with compassion and dignity.

Founding the Missionaries of Charity
She founded a new religious order dedicated to serving those most in need, which grew to serve people around the world.

Hidden Suffering
For many years, she experienced spiritual dryness and darkness, yet remained faithful to her mission.

Legacy
Mother Teresa is remembered as a global witness of charity, showing the world that love in action is the heart of the Gospel.

Virtues:

  • Charity: Love for the poorest of the poor

  • Humility: Serving without seeking recognition

  • Faithfulness: Perseverance in spiritual darkness

  • Compassion: Care for the suffering and dying

  • Simplicity: Living with total trust in God

Get Involved:

  • Serve: Help those in need around you

  • Love: Do small things with great care

  • Give: Offer your time and resources

  • See: Recognize Christ in others

  • Remain: Be faithful in daily life