The world commemorates the 114th birth anniversary of Mother Teresa today, a day to reflect on the life and legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning humanitarian whose selfless service continues to inspire millions globally.
Early life and mission
Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 26, 1910, Mother Teresa's devout Catholic upbringing laid the foundation for her future mission.
Her calling to religious life began at the tender age of 12, and by 1928, she had left her family to join the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish Catholic order with missions in India.
Following her initial training in Dublin, Mother Teresa was assigned to Kolkata in 1931, where she worked as a schoolteacher.
It was during these formative years that she witnessed the profound poverty afflicting many of the city's inhabitants.
This exposure prompted her to dedicate her life to alleviating the suffering of the poor and downtrodden.
In 1948, Mother Teresa took a bold step, leaving her teaching post to devote herself entirely to the mission of aiding the destitute. She established an outdoor school for children in the slums and founded the Missionaries of Charity on October 7, 1950.
This organisation became a beacon of hope, providing care for the impoverished across the globe.
By the time of her death, the Missionaries of Charity had expanded to over 130 countries, with thousands of members continuing her work.
Global recognition
Mother Teresa's extraordinary contributions earned her numerous accolades and global recognition. Her most notable honour was the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 1979 for her humanitarian efforts.
During her acceptance speech, she emphasised the importance of action in love: "It is not enough to be a good person. We must be people of action. Love cannot remain by itself—it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service."
In addition to the Nobel Prize, she was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980.
Her list of awards also includes the Balzan Prize in 1979 and the Templeton and Magsaysay awards. In 2016, her canonisation as a saint by the Pope marked a profound recognition of her life’s work.
Final years and legacy
Mother Teresa's health began to decline in 1997, leading to her retirement as the head of the Missionaries of Charity. She was succeeded by Sister Nirmala, an Indian-born nun.
On September 5, 1997, just a few days after her 87th birthday, Mother Teresa passed away from cardiac arrest in Kolkata.
Words of wisdom
Mother Teresa's legacy is also preserved in her poignant quotes:
- "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
- "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
- "When you don't have anything, then you have everything."
- "Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."
- "A life not lived for others is not a life."
Follow us
