Mother Teresa
Elena Navarro|
Columnist
The Saint of Calcutta
Mother Teresa (1910-1997), born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje, became one of the most recognizable figures of compassionate service in the 20th century. Her unwavering dedication to serving the “poorest of the poor” in Calcutta’s slums earned her global recognition and sainthood.
The Call Within a Call
While serving as a teacher in Calcutta, Mother Teresa experienced what she called “the call within a call” - a divine inspiration to leave her comfortable convent life and work directly among the city’s most destitute residents.
Missionaries of Charity
In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, which grew from a small group of sisters to an international congregation serving in over 130 countries. Their work includes hospices for the dying, orphanages, and clinics for those society has forgotten.
The Miraculous Medal Devotion
Mother Teresa was known to wear the Miraculous Medal and distribute it to those she served. She saw in Mary’s promise of grace through the medal a source of hope for the desperate and dying, often placing medals in the hands of those in their final moments.
Legacy of Love
Her Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 brought global attention to the plight of the poor. Mother Teresa’s canonization in 2016 recognized her as a model of selfless service, showing how Marian devotion can inspire radical love for the most vulnerable members of society.
