26th Death Anniversary of Mother Teresa
On 26th death anniversary of Mother Teresa, marked on 5th September, the world pays tribute to a remarkable woman whose life exemplified the values of compassion, selflessness and unwavering dedication to serving humanity.
Early Life
Birth date: 26th August, 1910
Birth place: Skopje, North Macedonia
Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, later known as Mother Teresa, was born to Nikola and Dranafile Bojaxhiu in Skopje, North Macedonia. Her parents instilled strong values and empathy in her from a young age, sowing the seeds of her future calling to serve humanity.
The Journey to India
At the age of 18, Mother Teresa left her home to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland. She learned English and become a teacher in Darjeeling, India. It was in Calcutta that she received a divine calling to serve poorest of the poor. In 1948, she left the convent and began her mission in the slums of Calcutta.
Founding the Missionaries of Charity
In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to serving the destitute and dying. She started with a small school in the slums and expanded her efforts to care for the sick and destitute. Her simple blue and white became a symbol of her commitment to the poor.
Charitable Works in India
The Missionaries of Charity rapidly expanded their work throughout India, opening orphanages, leprosy clinics and homes for those suffering from various illnesses. Mother Teresa and her sisters were known for their unwavering commitment to the marginalised and vulnerable.
International Recognition and Nobel Peace Prize
Mother Teresa’s work garnered international acclaim, leading to her receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her efforts to overcome poverty and distress, which she saw as a threat to peace. Despite the fame, she remained humble and focused on her mission.
Impact and Legacy
Throughout her life, Mother Teresa’s tireless efforts and boundless love touched countless lives. She inspired people from all walks of life to join her in serving the poor and downtrodden. Her legacy lives on through the Missionaries of Charity, which operates in over 130 countries.
Death
On 5th September 1997, Mother Teresa passed away in Calcutta at the age of 87. Her death marked the era, but her legacy of compassion and service endures. In 2003, she was beatified by the Catholic Church, a significant step towards sainthood.
Quotes from Mother Teresa
Some of the famous quotes given by Mother Teresa are as follows:
- “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
- “Peace begins with a smile.”
- “We fear the future because we are wasting today.”
- “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
- “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
- “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
- “A life not lived for others is not a life.”
- “I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.”