MARCH 29

 

Mother Teresa (1910–1997)  

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

 Mother Teresa was a   Catholic nun   and   missionary   known worldwide for her   charitable work   and   compassion   for the poor and sick. She was born   Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu   on   August 26, 1910, in   Skopje, which is now in   North Macedonia. At the age of   18, she joined the   Sisters of Loreto   and moved to India, where she taught at a convent school in   Calcutta (now Kolkata). 

In   1946, Mother Teresa experienced what she described as a   "call within a call"   to leave the convent and help the   poor   living on the streets. In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order dedicated to caring for the   "poorest of the poor."   Her work included setting up   hospices, orphanages, and   leper homes   around the world. 

Her selfless service earned her global recognition. In   1979, she was awarded the   Nobel Peace Prize   for her humanitarian work. Despite facing   criticism   for some of her practices, she remained dedicated to her mission until her death on   September 5, 1997, in   Kolkata, India. 

Mother Teresa was   canonized   as   Saint Teresa of Calcutta   by   Pope Francis   in   2016, recognizing her as a symbol of   love  ,   compassion  , and   humble service  . Her legacy continues through the   Missionaries of Charity  , which operates in   over 130 countries   worldwide.