Mother Teresa was an amazing humanitarian. She spent her entire life helping poor and needy people. Even though she wasn’t from India, she dedicated most of her life to helping the people there. The church gave her the name Mother Teresa because of her devotion, inspired by St. Teresa. She was a Christian from the beginning and a very spiritual person. She chose to become a nun. It was definitely a saintly lady with a lot of kindness and compassion in her heart.
Mother Teresa wasn’t her real name. When she became a nun, the church gave her this name in honor of St. Teresa. She was born into a Christian family and had strong belief in God. Because of this, she decided to become a nun.
Mother Teresa is not only an inspiration for many people, but also for those who will come after us. It’s important for students to learn about this kind-hearted person who dedicated her whole life to helping others.
Early Life
Mother Teresa was a deeply religious lady and followed the Catholic Christian faith. Her original name was Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. She was born in 1910 in Skopje, which is the capital city of the Republic of Macedonia. She spent a lot of her early life in the church. However, at first, she didn’t consider becoming a nun.
After her time in Dublin, she came to Kolkata (Calcutta), India. That’s when she received the new name Teresa. Her caring and motherly nature led to her being affectionately known as Mother Teresa, a name that the whole world recognizes her by. During her time in Kolkata, she worked as a teacher at a school. It was here that her life underwent significant changes, eventually earning her the title of the “Saint of Our Times”.
Work of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa not only taught school children, but she also provided education to the less fortunate in her community. She started by setting up an open-air school for poor children, all on her own, without any help.
As time passed, she expanded her efforts, teaching and assisting the needy regularly. She recognized the need for a permanent place to serve as her base and a refuge for those who were poor and homeless.
With the support of the church and kind-hearted individuals, Mother Teresa established the Missionaries of Charity. This became a place where the destitute could find shelter and spend their lives. Later, she went on to create many schools, homes, clinics, and hospitals both in India and abroad, thanks to the help of generous people and the government at the time.
The Beginning of Mother Teresa’s Journey
Because she was born into a Catholic Christian family, Mother Teresa had a strong belief in God and the importance of helping others. Even though she spent a lot of time at the church, she never thought she would become a nun. However, everything changed when she visited Kolkata (Calcutta), India after finishing her work in Dublin. For 15 years straight, she loved teaching children.
In addition to teaching school children, she put in a lot of effort to educate the underprivileged kids in the area. She began her journey of compassion by setting up a makeshift school where she started teaching these children. For years, she worked tirelessly without any financial support, but she never stopped teaching her students.
Her Missionary
Mother Teresa wanted a permanent place to carry on her important work of teaching the poor and aiding those in need. This place would be a central hub and a safe haven for the homeless and impoverished.
With the support of the church and generous individuals, she set up a mission where the poor and homeless could find shelter and live their lives in peace. Over time, she successfully opened many schools, homes, clinics, and hospitals through her organization, both in India and in other countries around the world.
Death of Mother Teresa and Memorial
Mother Teresa was like a beacon of hope for many, but even the best of us cannot escape death. This extraordinary person passed away while she was still serving the people in Kolkata (Calcutta). Her passing brought tears to the entire nation, and her memory lives on.
After her death, the poor, needy, homeless, and vulnerable felt like they had lost a guardian. Many memorials were built in India to honor her, and other countries also created tributes to pay their respects to this remarkable woman.
Did You Know These Facts About Mother Teresa?
- Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910, in a city in North Macedonia. Her parents were Nikolle and Dranafile Bojaxhiu.
- She had two older sisters and was the youngest among them. She never saw her mother or sisters again after she joined the Sisters of Loreto.
- Mother Teresa knew from a young age, around 12 years old, that she wanted to become a Roman Catholic Nun. She admired missionaries who traveled to spread their faith.
- Her original name was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, but she chose the name Mother Teresa after spending time in Ireland.
- Mother Teresa was multilingual, speaking five languages: English, Hindi, Bengali, Albanian, and Serbian. This helped her communicate with people from various parts of the world.
- She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her charitable work with the poor. However, she gave all the prize money to help the poor in Kolkata.
- Before her charitable work, she was a Headmistress at a school in Kolkata for nearly 20 years. She left because she felt a strong calling to address the poverty in the area.
- Mother Teresa dedicated most of her time to helping the poor and sick in India, particularly in the slums of Kolkata. She focused on aiding poor and sick children, establishing street schools and orphanages for their support.
- She founded the Missionaries of Charity organization in 1950, which continues to care for the needy and sick today, with branches worldwide.
- Mother Teresa was given the honor of speaking at the Vatican and the United Nations, a privilege reserved for very influential figures.
- She received a state funeral in India, a rare tribute reserved for important individuals as a mark of respect.
- Pope Francis canonized Mother Teresa in 2015, making her a saint in the Catholic Church. She is now known as St. Teresa of Calcutta.
- Many roads and buildings were named after her during and after her lifetime. Albania’s international airport is named after her in her honor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mother Teresa’s life was a testament to the power of selfless love and compassion. Her unwavering dedication to the poor and the sick, especially in the slums of Kolkata, touched the lives of countless people. Through her organization, the Missionaries of Charity, she provided a beacon of hope for those in need all over the world.
Her humility, kindness, and deep faith inspired people from all walks of life. From her early years in North Macedonia to her later years in India, Mother Teresa’s legacy continues to shine brightly.
Her canonization as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by Pope Francis in 2015 is a testament to the profound impact she had on the world. Her name lives on not only in the numerous roads and buildings named after her, but also in the hearts of those who continue her work of compassion and service.
Mother Teresa’s life teaches us that even one person, armed with love and a willingness to help, can make a monumental difference in the lives of others. She remains an enduring example of what it means to be truly selfless, reminding us that we too can make a positive impact in our communities and beyond.