Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia, in 1910, is widely revered as one of the most selfless and compassionate figures of the 20th century. Her life's work was dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, India, through her founding of the Missionaries of Charity.

Despite being born into a relatively comfortable family, Mother Teresa felt a calling to dedicate her life to serving others from a very young age. At the age of 18, she joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India. After a brief training period in Dublin, she arrived in Calcutta, where she taught at St. Mary's High School for Girls.

It was during her time in Calcutta that Mother Teresa was deeply moved by the poverty and suffering she witnessed around her. In 1948, she received what she described as a "call within a call" from God, urging her to leave the convent and live among the poor to serve them directly. With the permission of the Church, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to serving "the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone."

Mother Teresa and her sisters provided food, shelter, medical care, and love to the poorest of the poor, regardless of their religious beliefs or social status. Their work expanded globally, with missions established in over 130 countries. Mother Teresa's unwavering dedication to the marginalized and her radical commitment to love and compassion earned her widespread admiration and numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Despite her saintly reputation, Mother Teresa faced criticism and controversy, particularly regarding the quality of care in her facilities and her staunch opposition to contraception and abortion. However, her supporters argue that her primary focus was on alleviating immediate suffering rather than addressing broader social issues.

Mother Teresa's life and legacy continue to inspire millions around the world. She passed away on September 5, 1997, but her work lives on through the Missionaries of Charity and the countless individuals and organizations she inspired to serve the less fortunate with love and compassion.

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genre: Biography & Autobiography

ISBN: 9789937944212

Pages: 206