MOTHER TERESA

Source: Midday

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 Context

• August 26 marks the birth anniversary of Mother Teresa, one of the most revered figures of the 20th century.

Details

Background

• Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, known as Mother Teresa, was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which later became part of North Macedonia.
• At a young age, she joined the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland and received the name Sister Mary Teresa, after Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

Work in India

• In 1929, she traveled to Kolkata to teach at Mary's High School for Girls, which was run by the Sisters of Loreto.
• In 1950, she began the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta to care for what she called "the poorest of the poor."
• Through her efforts, Missionaries of Charity became a worldwide organization and opened centers across the globe to care for anyone in need.
• Mother Teresa received public acclaim for her relief efforts during Calcutta's 1943 Famine and subsequent relief work during the Partition in 1947.

Legacy

• In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian works, as well as efforts to alleviate poverty.
• She received the Bharat Ratna in 1980 for her contribution to society.
• She was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1962, and the Templeton Prize in 1973, further raising more awareness for her mission due to her humanitarian contributions internationally.
• In 2016, she was declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, by Pope Francis, known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

Books

• A Simple Path.
• No Greater Love.
• In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories, and Prayers.
• The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living.

Sources:

Midday