### **Mother Teresa**
(26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997)
Mother Teresa, born **Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu**, was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary known for her unwavering dedication to the poor, sick, and dying. She founded the **Missionaries of Charity**, a Catholic congregation that served the "poorest of the poor." Her compassion and humanitarian work earned her worldwide respect and numerous accolades, including the **Nobel Peace Prize** in 1979.
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### **Early Life and Background**
- **Born**: 26 August 1910, in Skopje, Ottoman Empire (now North Macedonia).
- **Parents**: Nikola and Dranafile Bojaxhiu, who instilled deep religious values in her.
- At 12, she felt a calling to serve God and became committed to a life of service.
- In 1928, at the age of 18, she joined the **Sisters of Loreto**, an Irish Catholic congregation, and moved to India.
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### **Life in India**
- **Arrival in Calcutta (Kolkata)**:
- In 1929, she arrived in Calcutta and began teaching at **St. Mary’s High School for Girls**.
- She took her religious vows in 1931 and chose the name Teresa, after St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
- **Call Within the Call**:
- In 1946, during a train ride to Darjeeling, she felt a divine calling to leave the convent and work directly with the poorest of the poor.
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### **Founding of Missionaries of Charity**
- In 1950, Mother Teresa received Vatican permission to establish the **Missionaries of Charity**, focusing on:
- Providing care for the destitute, abandoned, and dying.
- Establishing homes for lepers, AIDS patients, and orphans.
- Her organization grew rapidly, with thousands of members and hundreds of centers worldwide.
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### **Humanitarian Work**
1. **Care for the Sick and Dying**:
- Opened the **Kalighat Home for the Dying (Nirmal Hriday)** in Kolkata to provide dignity to the dying.
- Founded Shanti Nagar, a leprosy colony.
2. **Orphanages and Shelters**:
- Established homes for abandoned children and orphans.
3. **Global Impact**:
- Expanded her services to over 130 countries, addressing poverty, hunger, and illness.
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### **Awards and Recognition**
1. **Nobel Peace Prize (1979)**:
- Recognized for her work in bringing dignity to the marginalized.
- Donated the prize money to the poor.
2. **Other Notable Awards**:
- **Padma Shri (1962)**: From the Government of India.
- **Bharat Ratna (1980)**: India’s highest civilian honor.
- **Presidential Medal of Freedom (1985)**: From the United States.
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### **Controversies and Criticism**
- Critics questioned the quality of medical care provided in her homes and her views on abortion and contraception.
- Despite the controversies, her unwavering commitment to her mission remained evident.
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### **Later Life and Death**
- **Health Struggles**: Faced multiple heart ailments in her later years but continued her work.
- **Died**: 5 September 1997, in Kolkata.
- **Legacy**:
- Left behind a legacy of compassion and selfless service.
- Missionaries of Charity continues her work globally.
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### **Canonization**
- Declared **Saint Teresa of Calcutta** by Pope Francis on 4 September 2016.
- Feast Day: **5 September**, observed by the Catholic Church.
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### **Famous Quotes**
1. *"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."*
2. *"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."*
3. *"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."*
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### **Legacy**
Mother Teresa remains an enduring symbol of compassion, inspiring millions to dedicate their lives to helping the underprivileged. Her life's work exemplifies the power of love and service to transform lives.
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