History of Mother Theresa

Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which is now part of North Macedonia, was a Catholic nun and humanitarian. She is widely known for her selfless devotion to serving the poor, sick, and marginalized in society. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation dedicated to helping the needy, in 1950. Her tireless efforts to alleviate poverty and suffering made her a symbol of compassion and love worldwide.

Mother Teresa's early life was marked by her deep faith and desire to serve others. At the age of 18, she left home to join the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns. She trained in Dublin and then traveled to India, where she taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta (now Kolkata). After almost 20 years as a teacher, she received what she described as a "call within a call" from God to serve the poorest of the poor.

In 1948, Mother Teresa obtained permission from the Vatican to leave the convent and serve the poor full-time. She began her work in the slums of Calcutta, providing food, medical care, and shelter to those in need. Mother Teresa's dedication to her mission attracted attention and support, and she soon expanded her efforts to other parts of India and across the world.

The Missionaries of Charity grew rapidly, and by the 1970s, they were operating numerous clinics, orphanages, and schools in India and other countries. Mother Teresa herself became internationally renowned, receiving numerous awards and honors for her humanitarian work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Despite her fame, Mother Teresa remained humble and committed to her mission. She and her sisters lived a life of simplicity, taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They relied on donations to fund their activities and refused to charge for their services, considering them a gift from God.

Mother Teresa's work extended beyond India. She established Missionaries of Charity centers in various countries, including the United States, Italy, and Ethiopia, among others. These centers provided assistance to the homeless, HIV/AIDS patients, refugees, and people suffering from leprosy.

Mother Teresa's health declined in the 1990s, and she passed away on September 5, 1997, in Calcutta, India. Despite her death, her legacy continues to inspire people around the world. In 2016, Pope Francis canonized Mother Teresa as a saint of the Catholic Church, recognizing her extraordinary life and the impact of her charitable work.

Mother Teresa's life and work have been subject to some criticism and controversy. Some have questioned the quality of medical care provided in her facilities, while others have criticized her stance on contraception and abortion. Nonetheless, her unwavering dedication to serving the poorest and most vulnerable remains an example of selflessness and compassion for people of all backgrounds.

Here are some quotes by Mother Teresa, the renowned Catholic nun and humanitarian:

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

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

"The greatest science in the world, in heaven and on earth, is love."

"Do ordinary things with extraordinary love."

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."

"Peace begins with a smile."

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."

Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."

"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."