St. Teresa of Calcutta, also known as Mother Teresa was born in August 1910 in Skopje, she was named Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. Her father died when she was only eight years old which put her family under financial hardship. When she was eighteen years old, Mother Teresa left home to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland. It was here that she received the name Sister Mary Teresa. In 1929, Mother Teresa went to Calcutta, India for the first time. For twenty years, she taught at St. Mary’s school for girls. She even became the principal.

In 1946, Mother Teresa received the first pull from Christ to found the order the Missionaries of Charity. Christ revealed to Mother Teresa His desire for her to serve the poor and neglected, to love them. The mission of the Missionaries of Charity was to serve the poorest of the poor.

Two years later, this work began. One December 21st, Mother Teresa went to the slums of Calcutta for the first time. She served the dying, the sick, the homeless. Others began to join her work. As her order grew and their work was recognized, they were asked to come to more cities in India and then Venezuela. The Missionaries of Charity then went to almost every communist country including Albania, Cuba, and Russia.

Attention to her work continued to grow. She received multiple awards including the Nobel Peace Prize. She said that each prize was “for the glory of God and in the name of the poor.” 

Unknown until her death, Mother Teresa experienced great suffering in her interior life. She experienced something called “The Dark Night of the Soul.” Basically, she felt completely separated from. She felt no consolation in prayer. However, even with this heavy burden, she loved the Lord greatly. She desired the sacraments.

Mother Teresa was canonized in September 2016.  St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!

There is so much to know about Mother Teresa. You can find out more here.