Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, now North Macedonia, Mother Teresa's journey of faith began early. By 18, she had joined the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland, and by January 1929, she arrived in Calcutta, India. It was here that she taught at St. Mary's High School, eventually becoming its headmistress. Yet, amidst her duties, the surrounding poverty tugged at her heart.
God's Call to Serve Poor
On September 10, 1946, while traveling to Darjeeling, Mother Teresa experienced a profound spiritual calling—a "call within a call"—to serve the poorest of the poor. "The message was clear," she reflected, "I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them." In August 1948, she left the Loreto convent, donned a simple white sari with a blue border, and began her mission.
Missionaries of Charity Founded
The transformation was remarkable. By 1950, she had founded the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to aiding "the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers." Recognizing each person she served as "Jesus in disguise," Mother Teresa embodied compassion. In 1952, she opened Nirmal Hriday, a home for the dying, offering dignity to those society had overlooked.
Faith Through Spiritual Darkness
Despite her luminous work, Mother Teresa faced deep spiritual challenges. For almost 50 years, she endured what she described as the "dark night of the soul," a period where she felt God's absence keenly. "I am told God lives in me," she wrote, "and yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul." Yet, her unwavering dedication to faith and service persisted. She often said, "God doesn't require us to succeed, he only requires that you try."
Legacy of Love and Service
In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a testament to her global impact. But for Mother Teresa, the true glory belonged to Jesus. She believed that every success of the Missionaries of Charity was a result of divine intervention, sustaining their work through His grace.
Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997, leaving behind a legacy of love and service. As she once said, "Holiness is not the luxury of the few. It is a simple duty for you and for me… Find your own Calcutta." Her life remains a profound testimony of faith in action, driven by an unwavering belief in God's presence amidst the world's neediest.
