Teresa of Calcutta
Teresa of Calcutta, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun and missionary who founded the Missionaries of Charity. She is celebrated for her lifelong dedication to serving the poorest of the poor, especially those suffering from HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis, and is recognized as a Catholic saint.
- Feast Day
- September 5
- Century
- 20th century
- Country Or Region
- India
Key Facts
- ›She was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, then part of the Ottoman Empire.
- ›At age 18, she moved to Ireland to join the Sisters of Loreto and later to India, where she lived most of her life.
- ›In 1950, she established the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor.
- ›She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work.
- ›She was canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by the Catholic Church on September 4, 2016.
- ›Her feast day is observed on September 5, the anniversary of her death.
Mother Teresa, Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu
Sisters of Loreto, Missionaries of Charity
White Sari With Blue Border
About Teresa of Calcutta
Teresa of Calcutta, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun renowned for her lifelong dedication to serving the world's most destitute individuals. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation that grew to operate in over 133 countries, providing care for those suffering from diseases like HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis, and establishing homes for the dying, orphanages, and soup kitchens.
Life and Historical Context
Born in Skopje on August 26, 1910, into a devout Catholic family, Anjezë Bojaxhiu was fascinated by missionary stories from a young age. At 18, she moved to Ireland to join the Sisters of Loreto, learning English to prepare for missionary work in India. She arrived in India in 1929, taking her first vows in 1931 and her solemn vows in 1937, eventually becoming headmistress of a school in Calcutta. Disturbed by the surrounding poverty, particularly after the Bengal famine and periods of religious violence, she felt a divine call in 1946 to leave the convent and live among the poor.
Major Contributions
In 1950, Mother Teresa established the Missionaries of Charity. The congregation's habit became a white sari with two blue borders. Her first major initiative was opening the Kalighat Home for the Dying in 1952, converting an abandoned Hindu temple into a hospice for the destitute. She later opened Shanti Nagar, a hospice for those with leprosy, and Nirmala Shishu Bhavan, a children's home for orphans and homeless youth. The congregation expanded rapidly, establishing missions across India and then internationally.
Recognition and Reception
Mother Teresa received widespread international acclaim, including the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. She was honored by governments and organizations worldwide, receiving awards such as the Padma Shri and Bharat Ratna in India. However, her work also drew criticism concerning the quality of care in her hospices and her views on suffering. Despite these criticisms, she was canonized by the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta on September 4, 2016, with her feast day observed on September 5.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mother Teresa born and where?
Mother Teresa was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. She was raised in a devoutly Catholic family.
What was Mother Teresa's primary mission?
Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity with the explicit goal of serving 'the poorest of the poor.' Her work focused on caring for those suffering from diseases like HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis, as well as running soup kitchens, orphanages, and schools.
What significant awards did Mother Teresa receive?
Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian efforts. She also received the Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize in 1962 and India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980.
When was Mother Teresa canonized as a saint?
Mother Teresa was canonized by the Catholic Church on September 4, 2016, and is now known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Her feast day is celebrated annually on September 5.
What criticisms did Mother Teresa face?
Despite widespread acclaim, Mother Teresa faced criticism regarding the poor conditions and lack of medical care in her houses for the dying. Some also questioned her promotion of a 'cult of suffering' and the image she presented of Calcutta.
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