Today is International Day of Charity, and STARZ24 would like to take the time to honor Mother Theresa, a renowned nun and missionary and a legendary human whose life’s work will forever inspire people around the world. Mother Teresa’s work has been recognized and acclaimed throughout the world; she has received a number of awards and distinctions including a Nobel Peace Prize.
Mother Teresa, was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910 to parents of Albanian-descent. At a young age, she strongly felt the call of God, and developed a keen desire to be a missionary and spread the love of Christ.
She left home at the age of eighteen and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India (⁴). She trained in Dublin Ireland, and after a few months she was sent to India (1928).
On May 24, 1931 Mother Teresa took her initial vows as a nun. From 1931 to 1948 Mother Teresa taught at St. Mary’s High School in Calcutta. She witnessed incredible suffering and poverty outside the convent walls, which made a deep impression on her and a desire to help.
In 1948 Mother Teresa received permission from her superiors to leave the convent school and devote herself to working among the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta (⁴). She became an Indian citizen in 1948. In 1950, she founded the Order of Missionaries of Charity in Kolkota (Calcutta) a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to helping the poor (²).
In 1979, Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.” (¹).
For over 45 years, Mother Teresa ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned and dying. She guided the Missionaries of Charity’s expansion, first in India and then in other countries, including hospices and homes for the poorest and homeless.
Mother Teresa passed away in September 1997 and was beatified in October 2003. In December 2015, Pope Francis recognized a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa, clearing the way for her to be canonized on September 4, 2016. (²)
Mother Teresa became widely recognized by the white and blue sari which she wore to carry out her work.
In recognition of the role of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering within and among nations, as well as of the efforts of charitable organizations and individuals, including the work of Mother Teresa, the General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution A/RES/67/105 designated the 5th of September, the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, as the International Day of Charity.
Today we honor Mother Teresa, her life’s work, and her ever-lasting legacy.
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” – Mother Teresa
References:
“Global Solidarity to Eradicate Poverty” Accessed on August 30th, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.un.org/en/observances/charity-day
“Mother Theresa” Accessed on August 30th, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/mother-teresa
“Mother Teresa: Everything you need to know” – Accessed on September 1st, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/50075153
“Mother Teresa Biographical – Accessed on September 1st, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1979/teresa/biographical/
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