Prepare By : Keyur Prajapati(110210125087)

Inspiring Women of Faith

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa of CalcuttaAgnes Bojaxhu was born in Yugoslavia in 1910. She entered the convent at the age of 18, taking the name of Sr Teresa. She sailed for India and for years, taught at a girls’ Catholic school. Most of the students were from wealthy families.

While on a train returning from her annual retreat, Sister Teresa felt the call of God to leave the security of her convent life.

She believed God was calling her to minister to the poorest of the poor on the streets of Calcutta.

She responded to this call, and left the convent in 1948. She lived very simply, and spent her days picking up dying people from the streets.

In 1950 she opened the first Home for the Dying, where the outcasts of Calcutta could die with dignity.

Many girls she had taught at the Loretto convent school joined her in her work. They too, dedicated their lives to Jesus in serving the very poor. In 1950, Sr Teresa’s order became known as the Missionaries of Charity.

She taught her nuns to live very simple lives, to pray constantly and to see the face of Jesus in every person, especially the poorest of the poor.

Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her service of love to the world. She accepted the award –

..”in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people who have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.”

- Mother Teresa’s Acceptance Speech

Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997, at the age of 87.

Her Missionaries of Charity continue to grow and serve the poorest of the poor.

Her Order is currently going through the process of having Mother Teresa declared a saint.