“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
-Mother Teresa
About Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa, also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia. She is renowned worldwide for her humanitarian work, particularly her work with the poor, sick, and dying. After experiencing a calling from God in 1946, she left her teaching job to devote her life to serving the destitute and sick. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in India in 1950. The order eventually expanded throughout the world and was known for its charitable services to the poor, destitute, and sick.
In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work. Her legacy of selfless giving and dedication to the poor and marginalized has inspired many to follow in her footsteps. She passed away on September 5, 1997 in Calcutta, India. 
Definition of “selfless service” of Saint Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa’s definition of “selfless service” was simple: “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” She believed that the smallest acts of service – even the smallest things – could have a huge impact if done with love.
She taught that selfless service was not just about giving to others, but about giving to others out of love, with no expectation of reward or recognition. This concept of selfless service was exemplified in her life and work, and has now become a cornerstone of volunteerism and charitable giving.
Overview of Mother Teresa’s life and legacy
Mother Teresa was born in 1910 in what is now Macedonia, and at the age of 18 she joined the Loreto Sisters of Dublin and moved to India. She was sent to Calcutta, where she spent the next 20 years teaching at St. Mary’s High School for Girls.
In 1948, she left her teaching post and ventured out into the slums of Calcutta to help the poor. She started the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order dedicated to providing food, shelter, and healthcare to the poorest of the poor. The organization grew rapidly, establishing homes, orphanages, and schools in India and around the world.
Mother Teresa’s charitable work was recognized and honored by numerous organizations and governments, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She was also beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2003, making her the first step towards sainthood in the Catholic Church.
Mother Teresa died in 1997, but her legacy lives on through the Missionaries of Charity and the many charitable organizations that were inspired by her work. Her selfless dedication to helping the poor and downtrodden has been an inspiration to millions around the world.
Mother Teresa’s Early Life
Mother Teresa was born in 1910 in Skopje, in present day Macedonia. She was born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu to a large family of Albanian descent. She was only 8 years old when she decided to become a nun and serve God. At the age of 18, she left home and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India. She arrived in India in 1929 and began her work as a teacher at St. Mary’s High School in Calcutta. She was dedicated to improving the lives of the poor and devoted her life to helping those in need.
She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950 and opened a home for the dying, as well as orphanages and schools. Mother Teresa’s work was recognized and appreciated by people across the world, and she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
Childhood of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was born Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia. She was the youngest of three children born to Nikola and Dranafile Bojaxhiu. Her father was an entrepreneur who was very active in the local Albanian community. Her mother was a very devoted and religious woman who instilled a deep faith in her children.
From a young age, Mother Teresa was a compassionate and caring child. She was known for her generosity, kindness, and dedication to helping others in need. Her parents encouraged her to pursue a religious vocation, and at the age of 18 she joined the Sisters of Loreto at Loreto Abbey in Ireland. After a year of training, she made her first vows as a nun and took the name Sister Mary Teresa after Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
Education of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa received most of her education from the Sisters of Loreto. She enrolled in the Loreto convent school in Darjeeling at the age of 12 and studied in the school until she was 18. During her time at the school, she learned English and some Bengali, in addition to her native Albanian and Latin. She also studied geography, history, arithmetic, and scripture.
After completing her studies at the Loreto convent school, Mother Teresa went on to pursue a teaching certificate in Calcutta, India. She graduated at the age of 20 and began teaching at St. Mary’s High School in Calcutta. She continued to teach at the school until she left to join the Sisters of Loreto in 1948.
Religious Calling of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was known for her unwavering commitment to serve the poor and destitute around the world. She was a member of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation established in 1950. She devoted her life to caring for the sick and the poor, providing them with food, shelter and comfort.
She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her charitable work. Her mission was to help those in need and to spread the message of love and compassion to all. She believed that every single person had a purpose in life, and she encouraged people to follow their own religious calling to help others and make the world a better place.
Mother Teresa’s Mission
Mother Teresa’s mission was to bring love and compassion to those who were suffering. She worked tirelessly to ensure that the poor and destitute had access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and medical care. She advocated for peace and understanding among people of all faiths and backgrounds. Her message of selfless service and charity was shared around the world and was an inspiration to many. She received numerous awards and honors for her humanitarian work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Mother Teresa’s mission lives on today as her legacy continues to bring hope and light to those in need.
Move to India
Mother Teresa moved to India in 1929, when she was just 18 years old. She joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish order of nuns, and began her novitiate in Darjeeling, India. She took her first religious vows as a nun in 1931, and a few years later, she took her final vows, which included a promise of poverty, chastity, and obedience. She chose the name Teresa in honor of Thérèse de Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries. After she had finished her training, Mother Teresa was sent to the Loreto convent in Calcutta, India. It was there that she began her life’s work of helping the poor and destitute.
Found Missionaries of Charity
Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950. It is a Roman Catholic religious congregation that serves the poorest of the poor in over 130 countries around the world. The Missionaries of Charity are committed to living a simple lifestyle, working in the spirit of humility, and offering free services to those in need. They run orphanages, schools, soup kitchens, mobile clinics, and other social programs.
They also offer emotional and spiritual support to those in need. The Missionaries of Charity have been recognized for their work and service to the world, and Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
The Missionaries of Charity
The Missionaries of Charity have been active in countries around the world, providing food, shelter, and medical care to those in need. They also provide spiritual guidance, helping to spread the message of the Catholic Church through their humanitarian work.
The Missionaries of Charity are an international order founded by Mother Teresa in 1950, dedicated to helping the poor, disadvantaged, and suffering. They are known for their selfless acts of service, and their work has been praised around the world.
Work in India and Abroad
Mother Teresa worked tirelessly for over 45 years in India, tending to the poor, the sick and the dying. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation devoted to helping those in need. She also started countless charities and programs to aid the poor, such as homes for the aged and disabled, orphanages, and soup kitchens. She also traveled extensively around the world to raise funds and awareness for her causes.
Mother Teresa was awarded numerous honors and awards for her work, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She devoted her life to serving the poor and downtrodden, and her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched.
Mother Teresa become Saint
On September 4, 2016, Mother Teresa was canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by Pope Francis. She was given the title of saint in recognition of her efforts to serve the poor and the sick. Her canonization was celebrated in a ceremony attended by over 120,000 people of all faiths. Saint Teresa of Calcutta is now remembered for her selfless acts of love and kindness, and her example of service to the world.
Mother Teresa’s Legacy
Mother Teresa’s legacy is evident in the countless lives she touched during her lifetime, and in the many organizations that continue her mission of helping those in need. She was an example of selfless service, devoted to helping the poor and vulnerable in society.
Her work has inspired millions of people around the world to think of others before themselves and to extend a hand of kindness to those in need. Her legacy continues to live on in the work of the Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded in 1950 to help the poorest of the poor. They continue to provide food, shelter, healthcare, and education to those in need around the world. Mother Teresa’s example of service and compassion will never be forgotten.
Recognition for Mother Teresa Work
Mother Teresa was awarded numerous honors and awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She was also given India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980. In addition, she was honored with dozens of other awards, including the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize in 1971. Her work was recognized and praised by many, including political and religious leaders around the world.
Lasting Legacy of Service
The lasting legacy of service of Mother Teresa is one of selfless love and compassion. She dedicated her life to caring for the poor and needy, and her example of service has inspired millions of people around the world to serve those in need. Her legacy of care and commitment has left an indelible mark on the world, and her work continues to be a source of inspiration and hope for those in need.
Despite her passing in 1997, her legacy of service and kindness live on in the hearts and minds of those who have been touched by her work. Her life and example serve as a reminder of the power of love and compassion in the world, and remind us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life.
Reflection on Mother Teresa’s Life
Mother Teresa’s life was a shining example of selfless service and dedication to helping others. She devoted her life to caring for the poor, the sick, and the forgotten. Her commitment to living a life of charity and service was extraordinary. Through her work in India, she showed the world that one person can make a difference and that simple acts of kindness can have a profound impact.
Mother Teresa was a beacon of hope and kindness, and her legacy continues to inspire and motivate people to serve others. She showed us that love and compassion are the most powerful forces in the world, and that it is our duty to use them to improve the lives of those around us.
How to Live a Life of Selfless Service as Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa believed that service to others was the highest calling in life. She dedicated her life to helping the poor and vulnerable, and her example inspired countless people around the world to do the same. If you’d like to follow in her footsteps and live a life of selfless service, here are some steps to get you started:
1. Educate yourself about issues such as poverty, homelessness, and hunger. Learn about the root causes of these problems and what can be done to help.
2. Find causes you are passionate about and volunteer your time to help. Whether it’s helping a local soup kitchen or working with an international charity, your efforts can have a real impact.
3. Donate money or resources to organizations that are doing important work.
4. Speak out about social injustices and advocate for those who are less fortunate.
5. Live simply and be mindful of how your lifestyle affects the environment.
6. Spend time with people who are different from you and learn from their perspectives.
7. Practice acts of kindness and charity in your everyday life.
8. Live with humility and refrain from judging others.
9. Follow the example of Mother Teresa and be an inspiration to others.
10. Pray or meditate regularly to stay grounded and focused on your mission.
Death of Mother Teresa
On 5 September 1997, Mother Teresa died of a heart attack in Calcutta, India, at the age of 87. Her death was met with an outpouring of grief and sadness worldwide, with many viewing her as a symbol of selfless service and compassion. Mother Teresa’s funeral was held on 13 September 1997 in Calcutta and was attended by more than 100,000 people.
Indian Prime Minister I.K. Gujral, who declared seven days of national mourning, said, “The light she spread still glows from the millions of lives she touched.” She was buried in the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order she founded in Calcutta in 1950.
Conclusion
Mother Teresa was a true example of a selfless and devoted individual, who dedicated her life to helping those in need. She was a figure of hope and love for many, and her legacy will live on forever. Even in her passing, her work continues to be carried out by the Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded in 1950.
Through her iconic and inspiring words, she has provided us with a reminder that we need to be compassionate and loving to those around us, no matter the circumstances. As Mother Teresa said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Her life was a testament to this message, and it is one that we must carry on in her honor.
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