Born on 26 August 1910 in Skopje, now the capital of Northern Macedonia, Mother Teresa, whose real name was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor. She has become one of the most emblematic figures of the 20th century, recognised worldwide for her dedication and unconditional love for those in greatest need.
From an early age, Agnès felt a religious vocation and decided to consecrate her life to God. At the age of 18, she joined the Sisters of Notre-Dame de Lorette in Dublin, Ireland, and took the name Sister Marie-Thérèse. A few months later, she was sent to India, where she taught at a girls' school in Calcutta.
In 1946, during a train journey, Mother Teresa received what she described as a "call within a call". She felt a deep inner conviction to leave the convent and devote herself entirely to serving the poor on the streets of Calcutta. With the permission of the Church, she founded a new congregation, the Missionaries of Charity, dedicated to helping "the poorest of the poor".
The Missionaries of Charity began modestly, with Mother Teresa and a few volunteers bringing medical care, food and love to the abandoned and dying on the streets of Calcutta. Despite challenges and obstacles, the congregation grew rapidly, expanding across India and into many countries around the world.
Mother Teresa was known for her humility, simplicity and unconditional love for every person she met, regardless of their condition or background. She saw the face of Christ in every person and firmly believed that every individual deserved dignity, respect and love.
Over the years, Mother Teresa received many international honours and recognitions for her humanitarian work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. However, she always insisted that her true honour lay in daily service to the poorest of the poor and in sharing God's love with them.
Mother Teresa died on 5 September 1997, leaving behind an enduring legacy of compassion, dedication and unwavering faith. She continues to inspire millions of people around the world to follow her example and dedicate their lives to serving those most in need, bearing witness to God's immeasurable love for every person.
