The Life Journey of Mother Teresa: Global Humanitarian

Early Life and Calling (1910–1928)
Born on August 26, 1910, in the town of Skopje then within the borders of the Ottoman Empire. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu grew up in a deeply religious Albanian Catholic household. Even as a child, she exhibited a profound sense of spirituality, and by age 12, she felt drawn to a life of religious service.
At 18, driven by her calling, she left her home and joined the Sisters of Loreto, a Catholic order based in Ireland. Her spiritual training began in Dublin and shortly after, she was sent to India, where she would spend most of her life.

The Path to Becoming Mother Teresa (1929–1937)
Arriving in India in 1929, she took up teaching duties at St. Mary’s High School in Calcutta. She professed her first vows in 1931 and chose the name Teresa to honour Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

Six years later, she officially became known as Mother Teresa. While her primary role was educating young girls, she became increasingly affected by the dire poverty she witnessed around her.

A Profound Spiritual Awakening (1946–1948)
During a train journey in 1946, she experienced what she described as a “call within a call” which is a strong inner conviction to leave the convent and dedicate her life to helping those in extreme poverty.
By 1948, having obtained permission, she stepped out of convent life and into the slums of Calcutta, embracing a new mission. She adopted a simple white sari with a blue border, a garment that would come to symbolize her commitment and compassion.

Establishing the Missionaries of Charity (1950)
Starting with no funding and only faith, she opened a school under the open sky for underprivileged children. Her acts of kindness began drawing volunteers and donations.
On October 7, 1950, her mission became formalized when the Vatican officially recognized the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation committed to aiding the marginalized: the homeless, the sick, the destitute, and the forgotten.

A Global Movement and Rising Recognition (1965–1990s)
In 1965, the Missionaries of Charity received international status from Pope Paul VI, paving the way for its global outreach. By the end of the 1960s, a growing network of lay volunteers called Co-Workers joined her efforts. By the 1990s, they numbered in the millions, operating in over 40 countries.
Her humanitarian efforts garnered global acclaim, including several major awards:

• Pope John XXIII Peace Prize (1971)
• Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding (1972)
• Balzan Prize (1979)
• Templeton Prize and Ramon Magsaysay Award

Nobel Peace Prize and India’s Highest Honor (1979–1980)
In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work helping the poor, seen as a living embodiment of peace through service.
In 1980, India honoured her with the Bharat Ratna, its highest civilian recognition, cementing her legacy as a figure of national and international significance.

Final Chapter and Enduring Legacy (1989–1997)
After experiencing a heart attack in 1989, she expressed her wish to step down, but the members of her congregation unanimously asked her to continue. She reluctantly agreed.
Her health declined steadily in the following years, and in 1997, she officially retired, passing leadership to Sister Nirmala.

On September 5, 1997, just after her 87th birthday, Mother Teresa passed away in Kolkata, leaving behind a powerful legacy of compassion and unwavering service.

Sainthood and Lasting Impact (2016–Present)
Nearly two decades after her passing, Mother Teresa was officially declared a saint by the Catholic Church. The canonization ceremony took place in 2016 at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Her words and actions continue to echo across generations. One of her most enduring messages still guides people around the world:
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

References:

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1979/teresa/biographical/

https://www.history.com/articles/mother-theresa

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ed/turnbullvva/quotes-from-mother-teresa/