Mother Tereza was born on August 26th 1910 in Skopje, the current Capital of Macedonia, to Nikola and Dranafile Bojaxhiu, who were of Albania descent. She was baptized as Anjeza (Agnes) Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. The child was taught values and religion and grew up as a pious child.
Her father died when she was barely 10 years old, and she became close to her mother, who being a pious and compassionate woman, instilled in her daughter a deep commitment to charity.
Agnes did her primary and secondary school studies and was an active participant in singing and sometimes she gave solo performances in the parish gatherings.
At the age of 12, she had the first calling and six years later decided to become a Nun. She went to Ireland to join the Loreto Convent in Dublin. It was here that she took the name of Mary Tereza ,after Saint Thereza of Lisieux. A year later she was sent to DARJEELING, India, to do the Novitiate and there after she came to Calcutta to teach in Saint Mary’s High School for girls who were teaching the poorest families in Bengal. She taught History and Geography and she mastered Bengali and Hindi languages. She could speak fluently and communicate with the people.
On 24th May 1937, on her final profession of Vows to a life of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, she took the title of Mother Tereza.
On 10th September 1946, she experienced a second calling, the CALL WITHIN A CALL, when she said that Jesus Christ spoke to her and told her to abandon teaching work and work in the SLUMS of CALCUTTA, aiding the City’s poorest and sick people. Since she had taken the Vows of Obedience, she could not leave the convent without official permission. However there were lots of objections as to how she would manage safety. After nearly One and a half year, in January 1948, she received the approval. That August, donning the blue and striped white saree, she left the Loreto Convent. After receiving training in basic medical services for six months, she ventured into the slums without any specific goal, but to aid the unwanted, the unloved, and the uncared for. Soon she began her ministry by having an open air school,and established a home for the dying destitute. She requested the Government to donate to her cause.
In 1950 she received canonical recognition for a new congregation the MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY.
Initially she had to enroll more members to join her in this work. The persons who joined her in this mission were her past pupils. She established a leper colony and many other institutions to alleviate the suffering.
In 1979 she went to USA to establish a convent there. In 1985 she spoke at the 40th Anniversary of United Nations General Assembly. She was recognized for her work and acclaimed by the world for all that she did. However there was criticism too within the circle. But she never looked back and continued the mission.
During her life she received the Nobel Prize for Peace and Government of India conferred on her BHARAT RATNA, the highest civilian award.
During her life time she ventured into many convents across India. Her presence is felt even in Goa where they do the service of looking after the poorest, lowest and abandoned.
After several years of deteriorating health, including heart, lungs and kidney problems, she died on 5th Sept 1997 at the age of 87 years.
In 2002 the Vatican recognized a miracle involving an Indian woman named Monica Besra, who said she was cured of an abdominal tumor through Mother Tereza’s intercession. She was beatified as Blessed Tereza of Calcutta, on 19th October 2003 by Pope John Paul II.
On 17th December 2015 Pope Francis issued a decree to canonize her as a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church.
The second Miracle involved the healing of Marcillio Andrino a Brazillian, diagnosed with Viral Brain Infection and lapsed into Coma. His wife, family and friends prayed to Mother Tereza. When the man was brought to the operation theatre, he woke up without pain and was cured of his earlier symptoms.
On 4th Sept 2016 Pope Francis led the canonization Mass held at St. Peter’s Square, honoring the Saint of the Gutters.
Her works, her spirituality and her mission to serve the poorest, lowly and the homeless is being looked after her disciples. Her Legacy will continue and she will still be called as Mother Tereza as it is so habitual to us in spite of she being St. Tereza of Calcutta.
Rosarito Coelho