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Blessed
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
(1910-1997)
On August 26, 1910, Mother Teresa
was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia. As a young girl she
was very involved in parish activities. In 1928, at age 18, she joined
the Order of the Sisters of Our Lady of Loretto in Dublin, Ireland. She
chose the name Sister Agnes.
As a young sister, in 1929 she traveled to Calcutta, India to teach at
a school for girls. She continued to teach at various schools in India
for 20 years. During that time, she was deeply moved by the number of
sick and dying people on the streets of Calcutta.
On September 10, 1946, while traveling by train, Sister Agnes had a “call
within a call.” She felt called to be God’s love in action—to
serve the sick and dying, the hungry and homeless. She got permission
to leave the Loretto convent. Then she sought medical training and determined
to serve the poorest of the poor. Eventually, she was joined by other
women. Some of these women were her former students and they helped her
serve the poor. In 1950 she established an order of religious women called
the Missionaries of Charity. Her new name was Mother Teresa.
Over time the Missionaries of Charity have built centers throughout the
world. In 1979 Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize. She captivated
the world as few other people have. Her simple message was: “We
are put on earth to do something beautiful for God.”
Pope John Paul II chose October 19, 2003, as the date for the beatification
of Mother Teresa. The ceremony was a celebration for the entire world.
Mother Teresa’s life of holiness is respected on a global scale.
Her example of humble and loving service is admired by millions of people.
The process that led to Mother’s Teresa’s beatification was
the shortest in modern history. Ordinarily, the cause for beatification
cannot begin until five year’s after the candidate’s death.
However, Pope John Paul II advanced the cause of Mother Teresa soon after
her death on September 5, 1997. The Pope explained that he was making
an exception because of widespread admiration for Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa’s spiritual vitality can be described with these words.
“Don’t search for God in far away lands. He is not there.
He is close to you. He is with you. Just keep that lamp burning and you
will always see him.”
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 5, chapter 14
