St. Teresa of Calcutta, widely known as Mother Teresa, is one of the most beloved saints of the modern Catholic Church. She dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor, seeing the face of Christ in every person she met. Her compassion, humility, and unwavering faith continue to inspire millions of people around the world.
Early Life
St. Teresa of Calcutta was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on 26 August 1910 in Skopje, now the capital of North Macedonia. From a young age, she felt called to serve God and desired to become a missionary.
At the age of eighteen, she joined the Sisters of Loreto and travelled to India, where she taught at a Catholic school in Calcutta.
A Call Within a Call
While travelling by train in 1946, Mother Teresa experienced what she described as “a call within a call.” Jesus invited her to leave the convent school and serve the poorest and most abandoned people living on the streets.
Therefore, she left the Loreto Sisters and began her mission among the poor with complete trust in God’s providence.
Founder of the Missionaries of Charity
In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation dedicated to caring for the poorest of the poor.
Moreover, the sisters provided food, shelter, medical care, and loving support to the sick, the dying, abandoned children, and those who had no one to care for them. Her mission quickly spread to many countries across the world.
Death and Canonization
St. Teresa of Calcutta died on 5 September 1997 after decades of faithful service.
Later, Pope Francis canonized her on 4 September 2016, recognizing her heroic charity and the miracles attributed to her intercession.
Today, Catholics honour her as a model of love, humility, and selfless service. Her life reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness, done with great love, has immense value in God’s eyes.
Feast Day
5 September
Patron Saint of
- World Youth Day
- Missionaries of Charity
- The poor
- Missionaries
- People serving the sick and dying
Prayer to St. Teresa of Calcutta
O glorious St. Teresa of Calcutta, faithful servant of Christ and loving mother of the poor, pray for us. Teach us to see Jesus in every person we meet and to serve others with humility, compassion, and joy. Help us to love without counting the cost and to bring hope to those who suffer. Through your intercession, may we become instruments of God’s peace and mercy. Amen.
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External Resources
For official information about St. Teresa of Calcutta, her life, canonization, and charitable mission, visit the Vatican’s official Saints archive.