Mother Teresa Biography | Autobiography of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was a woman who devoted her entire life to helping the poor, sick, and needy. She is known around the world as a symbol of kindness, love, and selflessness. Born in Albania, she came to India and spent most of her life serving the poorest of the poor in the streets of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). Through her work, she touched the hearts of millions of people and became a true inspiration for everyone.
Early Life and Background
Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which is now the capital of North Macedonia. Her family was of Albanian descent, and they were very religious. From a young age, Agnes was interested in religious life and felt a strong desire to help others. She was especially drawn to stories of missionaries working in far-off places, helping those in need.
When Agnes was just 18 years old, she decided to join the Sisters of Loreto, a Catholic religious order of nuns. She left her home and traveled to Ireland, where she began her training. After completing her training, she was sent to India, where she took her vows as a nun and chose the name Teresa in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, a French nun known for her simplicity and devotion.
The Call Within a Call
For many years, Mother Teresa worked as a teacher at St. Mary’s High School in Kolkata. She was loved by her students and was known for her dedication to their education and well-being. However, in 1946, while traveling by train to the Himalayan town of Darjeeling, Mother Teresa experienced what she later described as a “call within a call.” She felt a deep and overwhelming desire to leave the convent and live among the poor, serving them directly.
In 1948, after receiving permission from the church, Mother Teresa left the Sisters of Loreto and began her new mission. She started by wearing a simple white sari with a blue border, which became her trademark. With only a few rupees in her pocket, she began working in the slums of Kolkata, providing basic medical care, teaching poor children, and offering comfort to the dying.
Founding the Missionaries of Charity
As her work grew, more and more people joined Mother Teresa in her mission. In 1950, she established the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation dedicated to helping “the poorest of the poor.” The sisters of the Missionaries of Charity took vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and a special vow to serve the poor.
The Missionaries of Charity quickly expanded beyond Kolkata. They opened homes for the dying, orphanages, and leprosy clinics. Mother Teresa and her sisters cared for those who were rejected by society, providing them with love, dignity, and a place to die peacefully.
Mother Teresa’s work was not limited to India. The Missionaries of Charity spread to other countries, opening missions in Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Mother Teresa became a symbol of compassion and was admired by people of all religions and backgrounds.
Challenges and Criticism
Despite her many achievements, Mother Teresa also faced criticism. Some people questioned the quality of care provided in her homes and clinics, while others criticized her views on issues like contraception and abortion. However, Mother Teresa remained focused on her mission and never let criticism deter her from her work.
Mother Teresa believed that her role was not to solve all the world’s problems but to offer love and care to those in front of her. She often said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” She believed that even small acts of kindness could make a big difference in the lives of those who were suffering.
Recognition and Awards
Mother Teresa’s work did not go unnoticed. She received numerous awards and honors throughout her life. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to bring hope and comfort to the needy. She accepted the prize not for herself but on behalf of the poor she served, asking that the money be used to help them.
Other notable awards include the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, which she received in 1980. She was also awarded the Padma Shri and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding.
Later Years and Death
Even as she grew older, Mother Teresa continued to work tirelessly for the poor. In the 1990s, her health began to decline, but she remained active in her mission. In 1997, she stepped down as the head of the Missionaries of Charity due to her failing health. On September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa passed away in Kolkata at the age of 87.
Her death was mourned by people all over the world. Thousands of people attended her funeral, including world leaders, dignitaries, and ordinary people whose lives she had touched. Her legacy lives on through the Missionaries of Charity, which continues to serve the poor and needy in more than 130 countries.
Canonization and Sainthood
In 2003, just six years after her death, Mother Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II, which was the first step towards sainthood in the Catholic Church. In 2016, she was officially declared a saint by Pope Francis in a ceremony at the Vatican. She is now known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
Mother Teresa Bio in Table Format
| Full Name | Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 26, 1910 |
| Place of Birth | Skopje, North Macedonia |
| Religious Order | Sisters of Loreto, Missionaries of Charity |
| Date of Death | September 5, 1997 |
| Place of Death | Kolkata, India |
| Major Awards | Nobel Peace Prize (1979), Bharat Ratna (1980) |
| Canonization | September 4, 2016 |
| Known As | Saint Teresa of Calcutta |
What Was Mother Teresa Famous For?
Mother Teresa was famous for her selfless service to the poor, sick, and dying. She dedicated her life to caring for those who were suffering, especially those who were abandoned by society. Her work in Kolkata, India, where she established the Missionaries of Charity, brought her international recognition. She was known for her humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping the poorest of the poor. Her simple lifestyle and deep faith inspired millions of people around the world.
Why Is Mother Teresa Famous in India?
Mother Teresa is famous in India because of her immense contribution to the poor and needy in the country. She spent most of her life in Kolkata, where she worked tirelessly to help those who were suffering. She provided food, shelter, and medical care to the homeless, the sick, and the dying. Her work earned her the love and respect of people across India, regardless of their religion or background. She was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in recognition of her service to the nation.
What Are 5 Interesting Facts About Mother Teresa?
- Mother Teresa’s Real Name: Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. She chose the name Teresa when she became a nun, in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
- Nobel Peace Prize: Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work with the poor and suffering. She asked that the award banquet be canceled and the money be given to the poor.
- A Simple Sari: Mother Teresa adopted the white sari with a blue border as her religious habit. This simple attire became a symbol of her humility and dedication to the poor.
- Missionaries of Charity: The religious congregation founded by Mother Teresa, the Missionaries of Charity, has grown to more than 4,500 sisters serving in over 130 countries around the world.
- Canonization: Mother Teresa was declared a saint by the Catholic Church in 2016, just 19 years after her death, which is relatively quick in the process of canonization.
Mother Teresa All Quotes
Mother Teresa’s words have inspired people all over the world. Here are some of her most famous quotes:
- “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
- “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
- “Peace begins with a smile.”
- “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
- “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
- “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
- “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
- “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”
- “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
- “Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”
Conclusion
Mother Teresa’s life is a shining example of what it means to live with love, compassion, and humility. She dedicated her entire life to serving those in need, regardless of their background or circumstances. Her work with the Missionaries of Charity continues to impact the lives of millions of people around the world. Mother Teresa taught us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Her life reminds us of the importance of caring for one another and spreading love wherever we go.
