Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, was an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. Renowned for her lifelong dedication to serving the “poorest of the poor” in the slums of Calcutta, she was canonized by Pope Francis on September 4, 2016.
Early Life and Religious Formation
Born in Skopje, in what was then part of the Ottoman Empire, Mother Teresa was raised in a devoutly Catholic family. According to Britannica, she left home at age 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland. Shortly thereafter, she traveled to India, the country where she would spend the remainder of her life and carry out her primary missionary work.
Founding the Missionaries of Charity
In 1950, Mother Teresa established the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation dedicated to humanitarian service. The organization became globally recognized for its commitment to the impoverished and marginalized. Throughout her tenure as superior general, which lasted from 1950 until 1997, she expanded the reach of her order significantly. Following her death on September 5, 1997, she was succeeded by Sister Nirmala Joshi, as noted by Wikipedia.
Canonization and Legacy
The path to sainthood for Mother Teresa involved several significant milestones within the Catholic Church. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 19, 2003, at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Thirteen years later, on September 4, 2016, Pope Francis officially canonized her. Her feast day is celebrated annually on September 5.
Quick Facts About Mother Teresa
- Birth Name: Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu
- Born: August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Ottoman Empire
- Died: September 5, 1997, in Calcutta, India
- Key Organization: Missionaries of Charity (founded 1950)
- Canonization Date: September 4, 2016
While her life is documented extensively through religious and historical archives, Mother Teresa remains a central figure in 20th-century history, known for her Nobel laureate status and her enduring influence on global humanitarian efforts. Her legacy continues to be maintained at the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, which serves as her major shrine.