Mother Teresa: The Saint of Compassion and Humanity
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| Mother Teresa Rajasekharan Parameswaran, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
Her presence brought hope to countless lives, and her deeds continue to inspire millions. Often referred to as the embodiment of peace and kindness, Mother Teresa became synonymous with the word 'Mother' for thousands of orphans, destitute individuals, and those abandoned by society. Her unmatched popularity and spiritual glow made her one of the most admired figures in history, second only to Mahatma Gandhi in India’s collective memory.
Early Life of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was born as Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which is now the capital of North Macedonia. Her childhood was marked by a deep sense of faith and compassion. She lost her father at the tender age of nine, an incident that profoundly affected her. Despite the sorrow, her mother instilled in her a love for kindness and charity. From an early age, Anjezë showed a keen interest in the lives of missionaries and religious figures. Reading stories about missionaries ignited in her a deep calling to dedicate her life to serving others.
At the age of 18, she made a life-changing decision. She left her home and joined the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland, beginning her journey as a missionary. This marked the start of her unwavering commitment to religious life and selfless service. She adopted the name Teresa, inspired by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries. Her journey eventually brought her to India, where she would spend most of her life in service.
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| St. Mother Teresa Sreenandhini, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
Arrival in India and the Birth of a Mission
In 1929, Mother Teresa arrived in India as a young nun. She initially worked as a teacher at St. Mary’s School in Kolkata (then Calcutta). For nearly two decades, she taught young girls, instilling values of discipline, faith, and compassion. However, she could not ignore the suffering of the poor and homeless people she witnessed daily on the streets of Kolkata. This encounter with poverty and despair planted the seeds of her future mission.
In 1946, while traveling to Darjeeling, she experienced what she described as a “call within a call.” She felt a deep inner voice urging her to leave the convent and dedicate her life to serving the poorest of the poor.
With great courage and conviction, she sought permission to pursue this divine calling. In 1948, she formally began her mission of helping the destitute, adopting Indian citizenship to fully immerse herself in her service.
Founding of the Missionaries of Charity
In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata. The organization began with only a handful of members but grew into one of the largest and most respected charitable organizations in the world. The Missionaries of Charity dedicated themselves to caring for those who had no one else to care for them—the sick, the dying, the homeless, and orphaned children.
The order’s distinctive white saris with blue borders became a symbol of service and humility. Under her guidance, the missionaries established homes for the dying, orphanages, leper colonies, and clinics for the sick and destitute. Mother Teresa’s mission was not limited to providing food or shelter; it was about restoring dignity to those who had been forgotten by society.
Mother Teresa’s Personality and Spiritual Glow
Mother Teresa’s personality was marked by humility, simplicity, and unwavering faith. Despite her global recognition, she lived a life of extreme simplicity, often owning only a few belongings. She believed in leading by example, often saying that true service comes not from words but from action.
Her saintly glow was not just physical but spiritual. She radiated peace, compassion, and kindness, which attracted countless followers and volunteers from around the world. She had the extraordinary ability to make every person she met feel loved, valued, and seen. Her deep connection to God was reflected in her tireless service, and her devotion inspired others to contribute to her mission of love.
Even as she aged, her energy seemed boundless. She would often spend long hours tending to the sick, comforting the dying, and holding orphaned children in her arms. Her strength came from her unwavering faith and her belief that every act of service was an act of love for God.
The Mother of India’s Orphans
One of Mother Teresa’s greatest contributions was her care for orphaned and abandoned children. She provided them with food, shelter, and education, but above all, she gave them the love of a mother. For thousands of children who never knew their biological parents, she was their guiding light and their guardian angel. Her work redefined the meaning of motherhood by extending it beyond biological ties to the realm of unconditional love and compassion.
Mother Teresa believed that every child deserved a chance at life and dignity. Her orphanages provided safe havens for children who otherwise faced abandonment and despair. Many of these children grew up to lead meaningful lives, carrying forward the values of compassion and service instilled by her example.
Recognition and Awards
Mother Teresa’s work earned her worldwide recognition. She received numerous honors and awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. In her acceptance speech, she humbly dedicated the award to the poor and suffering whom she served. Other notable awards included the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States.
Despite the accolades, Mother Teresa remained humble and continued her work without pause. She often emphasized that her mission was not about fame or recognition but about serving God through the poorest of the poor.
Criticism and Legacy
Like many prominent figures, Mother Teresa also faced criticism. Some questioned her methods, her stance on issues like abortion and contraception, and the quality of care in her institutions. However, her supporters argue that her intentions were pure and her contributions immeasurable. Regardless of differing opinions, her legacy as a global symbol of compassion remains intact.
Her mission extended beyond the boundaries of religion, culture, or nationality. She believed in serving humanity as a whole, seeing God’s presence in every human being. Her legacy continues through the Missionaries of Charity, which operates in more than 130 countries today, carrying forward her mission of love and service.
Canonization and Sainthood
After her death on September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa was mourned by millions around the world. Her life’s work was celebrated as a testament to the power of faith and compassion. In 2003, Pope John Paul II beatified her, and in 2016, Pope Francis declared her a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. Today, she is venerated as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
Her canonization affirmed what millions of people already believed—that she was a saintly figure whose life was dedicated to God and humanity.
Conclusion: The Eternal Flame of Compassion
Mother Teresa’s life is a shining example of what it means to live selflessly for others. She was more than a nun, more than a humanitarian; she was the embodiment of love in action. Her personality reflected humility, kindness, and a divine strength that touched hearts across the world. Her saintly glow and unyielding devotion to service made her one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th century.
Even today, her words and actions continue to inspire individuals, organizations, and nations to embrace compassion and service. She proved that one person, with unwavering faith and boundless love, can change the world. Her legacy lives on not only in the institutions she founded but also in the millions of lives she touched with her compassion.
Mother Teresa will forever remain a beacon of hope, reminding humanity that the greatest service is found in selfless love. She was, and continues to be, the true Mother of the World.
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| Series: Reagan White House Photographs, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989Collection: White House Photographic Collection, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons President Ronald Reagan presents Mother Teresa with the Medal of Freedom at a White House Ceremony in the Rose Garden |
The awards and recognitions she was given were many in number. But she had
kept her work going on without looking at the awards. The Government of India
was very quick in recognizing her humanitarian services. She was given the prestigious award of Padma Shri in the year 1962. After that, she continued to
figure in the lists giving high awards of national and international
importance.
Mother Teresa and the Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize Committee acknowledged the services she had done for poor people and orphans and the humanitarian activities she had done during her
life. She was given the Nobel Prize for Peace in the year 1979. By giving this
prize to Mother Teresa, the Nobel Prize committee has enhanced the value of the
prize itself.
Mother Teresa, a Saint of the Twentieth Century
It is not of much importance whether she is to be declared a saint by the
followers of the Christian religion or not. She was a living saint. The people
of India who have met her in person believe that her presence was
divine and her blessings were fruitful. When she left this world for her
heavenly abode, on September 5, 1997, everyone who knew her observed a sad
day. She was a mother to all whom she met.
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