Mother Theresa of Calcutta
Agnes was born on August 10, 1910 in Albania. Although her parents had five children, only three survived. Agnes was the youngest. Even though her family was not wealthy, they still helped other who were less fortunate. Her parents were devout and faithful Catholics who prayed daily and went to mass as often as possible. Her father died when she was eight years old. Her mother opened an embroidery and cloth business to support her family.
When Agnes was 18 years old, she joined the Sisters of Our Lady of Loreto in Ireland. Agnes felt called to be a missionary. She took the religious name of Theresa after the patron of missionaries, Saint Theresa of Lisiseux. She was sent to India to teach after she completed her novitiate training. She made vows in 1937 and taught for 20 years at Saint Mary's High school in Calcutta.
In 1946, Sister Theresa was traveling from Calcutta to Darjeeling for a retreat. During the train ride she felt a call within a call to serve God by serving the poorest of the poor. This invitation was the culmination of years of giving herself completely and totally to God. She had been drawing closer to God throughout her years of teaching and serving her community. And now God was inviting her to a special work. She was given permission by Rome to begin Missionaries of Charity dedicated to serving the poor.
Mother Theresa died in 1997 at the age of 87. She was beatified by Saint Pope John Paul II in 2003.
Mother Theresa died in 1997 at the age of 87. She was beatified by Saint Pope John Paul II in 2003.
