St. Teresa of Calcutta
A Soulify guide to St. Teresa of Calcutta · Saints
Overview
St. Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), commonly known as Mother Teresa, was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity. After hearing what she described as a "call within a call," she left her teaching position at the Loreto convent school to serve the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta. Her work among the destitute and dying led to the establishment of a new religious community dedicated to serving Jesus by ministering to the poorest of the poor. Her unwavering commitment to the marginalized, combined with her spiritual depth and practical wisdom, made her one of the most influential humanitarian figures of the 20th century.
Key Facts
- Feast Day:
- September 5
- Patron Of:
- World Youth Day, Missionaries of Charity, Calcutta, poor and destitute
- Born:
- August 26, 1910, Skopje, Ottoman Empire (now North Macedonia)
- Died:
- September 5, 1997, Calcutta, India
- Attributes:
- Blue-bordered white sari, rosary, poor and sick people
- Canonized:
- September 4, 2016, by Pope Francis
Known For
- Creating "Nirmal Hriday" (Pure Heart), a home for sick and dying destitutes
- Establishing homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis
- Opening Shishu Bhavan, a home for orphaned and homeless children
- Founding the Missionaries of Charity, which grew to over 4,500 sisters in 133 countries
- Living a life of radical poverty while serving the poorest of the poor
- Becoming a global symbol of charity and compassion
- Receiving the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize for her work in promoting peace and understanding
- Writing extensively about spiritual darkness and finding Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor
Prayer & reflection with St. Teresa of Calcutta
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, you showed us the beauty of a life dedicated to serving Jesus in the poorest of the poor. Help us to see Christ in every person we meet, especially in those who suffer. Teach us to love until it hurts, as you did, and to never tire of sharing God's love with others. Give us your heart of joy in serving, your humility in loving, and your strength in suffering. Help us to remember that we are doing something beautiful for God whenever we help those in need. Through your intercession, may we grow in holiness by serving Christ in others. Amen.
Miracles & tradition
Devotional accounts are presented as part of Christian tradition. Historical evidence and formal Church recognition vary by account.
The Healing of Marcilio Haddad Andrino
The second miracle, which led to her canonization, involved the healing of a Brazilian man in 2008. Suffering from multiple brain abscesses and in a coma, he was completely and inexplicably healed through Mother Teresa's intercession.
The Multiplication of Food
Though not officially recognized as miracles, there were numerous accounts during Mother Teresa's lifetime of mysterious multiplication of food and supplies when resources ran low at her homes for the poor.
The Healing of Monica Besra
The miracle that led to Mother Teresa's beatification involved the healing of Monica Besra in 1998. A massive abdominal tumor was cured after Besra prayed to Mother Teresa and had a Miraculous Medal that had been touched to Mother Teresa's body placed on her abdomen.
Legacy & Spiritual Impact
- Her life demonstrates how one person's dedication to serving others can have global impact
- Her advocacy for the poor and unborn continues to influence social justice movements
- The Missionaries of Charity continue her work worldwide, serving the poorest of the poor
- Her spiritual writings about experiencing darkness while serving God have provided comfort to many struggling with faith
- Her simple message of doing "small things with great love" has influenced people of all faiths and backgrounds
- Her international recognition helped bring attention to the plight of the poor and marginalized
- Her model of hands-on service combined with contemplative prayer offers a blueprint for Christian charity
- Her example has inspired countless humanitarian initiatives and charitable organizations
The Soulify companion is an AI learning experience inspired by St. Teresa of Calcutta, not the historical person or an authoritative source of Church teaching.