Mother Teresa | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : December 20, 2024

Who is Mother Teresa?

Mother Teresa, known in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was a nun and missionary who dedicated her life to serving the sick and impoverished. Born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia, to Albanian parents, she felt a profound calling to religious life at the age of 12. After joining the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland and later moving to India, she spent 17 years teaching before her life dramatically changed in 1946 when she felt a "call within a call" to work among the city's poorest residents. This pivotal moment led her to abandon her teaching career and focus on direct service to the destitute.

In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, an order that expanded rapidly in response to the dire needs of the homeless, sick, and dying in Calcutta. By the time of her death in 1997, this organization had grown to include thousands of volunteers and over 4,000 members operating in 123 countries around the world. Throughout her life, Mother Teresa received numerous accolades for her humanitarian work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Her legacy continues to inspire countless individuals dedicated to charitable work, as she embodied compassion and mercy by serving “the unwanted, the unloved, the uncared for.”

Early Life and Education

Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia, hailed from an Albanian Catholic family deeply committed to their faith and community. Her father, Nikola, was an entrepreneur known for his involvement in local politics and support for Albanian independence. Tragically, Agnes lost her father at just eight years old, an event that intensified her relationship with her devoted mother, Dranafile. Dranafile's charitable spirit inspired Agnes, as she often welcomed the city's less fortunate into their home, teaching her daughter the importance of compassion and service to others.

Agnes received her education in convent-run and state schools, demonstrating early signs of a spiritual calling. By the age of 12, during a pilgrimage to the Church of the Black Madonna, she felt a calling to religious life. This decisive moment would shape her future. In 1928, after completing high school, she traveled to Ireland to join the Sisters of Loreto. After a year, she moved to Darjeeling, India, where she took her First Profession of Vows as Sister Mary Teresa and began teaching at Saint Mary's High School for Girls in Calcutta, dedicated to empowering impoverished girls through education.

Career Start: Teaching in India

Mother Teresa, originally known as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, began her teaching career in India shortly after joining the Sisters of Loreto in Dublin. Upon arriving in Darjeeling in 1929 for her novitiate period, she was sent to Calcutta, where she took on a teaching position at Saint Mary's High School for Girls. This institution catered to the daughters of impoverished families, laying the groundwork for her lifelong commitment to education and social justice. Through her efforts, she aimed to uplift her students, teaching not just academic subjects like geography and history, but instilling in them a sense of dignity and self-worth.

During her time at Saint Mary's, Mother Teresa embraced the challenges faced by her students, many of whom lived in dire circumstances. As principal by 1944, her influence expanded, and her compassionate approach became even more pronounced. She learned to fluently speak Bengali and Hindi, which allowed her to connect with her students and their families on a deeper level. Through her dedication, Mother Teresa showed that education could serve as a powerful tool in combating poverty, laying the foundation for her future endeavors in humanitarian work. Her teaching career was not just a job but a critical framework for her eventual calling to serve the poorest of the poor in Calcutta.

Career Success: Founding the Missionaries of Charity

In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, an organization dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor. After receiving canonical recognition for her new congregation, she began with a small group of companions, mostly former colleagues from her teaching days. The Missionaries of Charity focused on practical, hands-on help for the needy, conducting diverse activities that included running orphanages, providing education, and establishing homes for the terminally ill. Under Mother Teresa's leadership, the organization quickly expanded, responding to the overwhelming need for aid in Calcutta's slums and beyond.

By the time of her death in 1997, the Missionaries of Charity had grown into a global network with more than 4,000 members operating in 123 countries. Mother Teresa's vision and tireless efforts inspired thousands of volunteers to join her cause, elevating the organization's mission to a worldwide scale. Her ability to communicate the importance of compassion and service to human dignity attracted support from various international communities, allowing the Missionaries of Charity to further their efforts in combatting poverty and providing healthcare. Through her remarkable work, Mother Teresa left a lasting legacy of love, service, and unwavering commitment to the marginalized.

Awards and Achievements

Mother Teresa, known for her unwavering commitment to humanitarian work, received numerous accolades throughout her lifetime, highlighting her extraordinary contributions to society. In 1979, she was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize, a recognition of her relentless efforts in alleviating human suffering and promoting peace in a world often rife with conflict and poverty. This prestigious award not only validated her work among the poor and sick but also brought global attention to the dire conditions faced by many in society. Her acceptance speech emphasized her belief in the sanctity of life, reinforcing her stance against abortion and promoting love and compassion as solutions to societal problems.

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Mother Teresa was bestowed the Jewel of India, the highest civilian award, recognizing her selfless service to the nation and its most vulnerable citizens. She also earned the Gold Medal of the Soviet Peace Committee, further illustrating her influence and international recognition in the realm of peace and humanitarian efforts. The Vatican acknowledged her work as well; in 1965, Pope Paul VI granted a Decree of Praise to the Missionaries of Charity, prompting the expansion of her congregation and the international reach of her charitable missions. These awards collectively signify her monumental impact as a global humanitarian leader.

Personal Life: Married Life | Children

Mother Teresa, known for her unwavering commitment to the welfare of the poor and sick, dedicated her life to service instead of entering into a married life. Born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, she felt a powerful calling to religious life from a young age, ultimately leading her to become a nun. Her vocation took precedence over personal relationships and family life, as she sought to fulfill her mission of aiding those in need. Mother Teresa's dedication was such that she viewed her work as her true calling, immersing herself in humanitarian efforts throughout her life.

While Mother Teresa never married or had children, her capacity for love and nurturing was evident in her relationships with those she served. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, which provided a refuge for countless individuals, including orphans, the sick, and the marginalized. The thousands of children and adults she cared for became her family, with Mother Teresa often referring to them as her "children." Her life of selflessness and devotion transcended traditional familial ties, resulting in a legacy that continues to inspire compassion and empathy across the globe.

Net Worth and Earning: Salary and Donations

While Mother Teresa's financial net worth remains largely unrecorded, it is well-known that she led a life of profound humility and dedication to philanthropy. As the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa focused her efforts and resources on caring for the needy rather than accumulating personal wealth. Her life was characterized by a vow of poverty, and thus her personal finances were minimal, often relying on donations to support her charitable work.

The Missionaries of Charity, which she established, grew to include thousands of members worldwide, allowing for significant donations from various sources. Organizations, individuals, and even governments contributed financially, aiding her mission to assist the destitute and sick globally. Throughout her lifetime, Mother Teresa accepted both monetary and material donations only if they could be used directly for her charitable endeavors, showcasing her deep commitment to supporting those in dire need rather than personal gain.