Who was Mother Teresa?

Quck answer

Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary. She dedicated her life to helping the poor, sick, and dying in the slums of Kolkata, India. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation that provides care for those in need. Her selfless acts of compassion and love earned her worldwide recognition and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Mother Teresa’s legacy continues to inspire people to serve others and make a difference in the world. She is remembered as a symbol of compassion and humanitarianism.

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Many of our Wonder Friends have learned about assisting others. You might already be familiar with the concept of volunteering. Perhaps you have even read about organizations like the Peace Corps. Today’s Wonder of the Day is dedicated to an individual who dedicated her life to improving the lives of others. She was a nun, a teacher, and a missionary. Who are we referring to? Mother Teresa, of course!

Who was Mother Teresa? She was born on August 26, 1910, as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. Growing up in Yugoslavia (now Macedonia), she practiced the Catholic faith. Her mother ingrained in her the importance of always aiding others. This would greatly influence much of the work Mother Teresa carried out as an adult.

When she was 12 years old, Mother Teresa (known as Agnes at the time) felt a calling. She believed that she was destined for a religious life. Six years later, she moved to Ireland and joined the Sisters of Loreto, becoming a nun and taking the name Sister Mary Teresa.

In 1931, Sister Mary Teresa was sent to Kolkata, where she became a teacher. In 1937, she took her final vows and adopted the name Mother Teresa. She dedicated a total of 17 years to teaching, even serving as the principal of her school. However, in 1948, Mother Teresa left the school to pursue her second calling. She believed that she was meant to assist those living in extreme poverty and suffering from illness.

Mother Teresa established an open-air school for children in Kolkata. She went on to found additional schools and a hospice in the city. News of her work spread around the world, attracting volunteers from different countries. In 1950, Mother Teresa established her own religious order known as The Missionaries of Charity.

The Missionaries of Charity expanded globally, aiming to help those living in poverty. The order established orphanages, nursing homes, and health clinics. Mother Teresa also founded a colony for individuals with leprosy in the 1960s, followed by the opening of Gift of Love in New York City, which provided care for those with HIV/AIDS.

Mother Teresa gained significant recognition for her work. In 1965, Pope Paul VI issued a decree of praise for the Missionaries of Charity. She was also honored with the title of Jewel of India and awarded the Gold Medal of the Soviet Peace Committee. In 1979, she received the Nobel Peace Prize.

However, Mother Teresa’s life was not without challenges. Reports surfaced regarding poor hygiene and healthcare in the centers she established. In her later years, she also used her public platform to express her opposition to divorce, birth control, and abortion, which some individuals disagreed with, viewing her support as harmful. The Order of the Missionaries of Charity has also faced scrutiny, with allegations of funding fraud and other illicit practices.

Mother Teresa passed away in 1997 after a prolonged period of poor health. She was proclaimed a Catholic saint in 2016. In Catholicism, saints are revered as holy individuals believed to be in Heaven. On Earth, they led meaningful lives that others look to as examples. According to the Catholic faith, people can request the intercession of saints in their prayers. Each saint is assigned a feast day, and St. Mother Teresa’s is celebrated on September 5.

How would you describe Mother Teresa’s legacy? Do you find joy in aiding others? Performing a kind act for even just one person can have a significant impact on the world. Take some time today to contemplate how you can contribute to making the world a better place.

Give It a Try

Continue your learning journey with the assistance of a friend or family member and the activities provided below!

• What actions can you take to assist those around you? Children have the power to make a significant impact! Whether it’s aiding a friend with their homework or helping a neighbor with their chores, you have the ability to make someone’s day better today. Have a conversation with an adult about how you can lend a helping hand to others. Afterwards, create a list of ways in which you can begin.
• Expand your knowledge about Mother Teresa by exploring this collection of images from Time. What aspect of Mother Teresa’s life do you find the most interesting? Are there any questions that still linger in your mind? Discuss your thoughts with a friend or family member.
• Imagine that you have the opportunity to nominate someone for the Nobel Peace Prize. Who would you select? Why? Compose a paragraph describing the individual whom you would put forward for this prestigious award. Remember to provide at least one compelling reason as to why they deserve the nomination.

Sources of Wonder

• https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/mother-teresa (accessed 04 Nov. 2020)
• https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1979/teresa/biographical/ (accessed 04 Nov. 2020)
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mother-Teresa (accessed 04 Nov. 2020)
• https://www.britannica.com/story/roman-catholic-saints-hallowed-from-the-other-side (accessed 04 Nov. 2020)
• https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/27/world/asia/mother-teresa-critic.html (accessed 04 Nov. 2020)
• https://learnersdictionary.com/ (accessed 04 Nov. 2020)

FAQ

1. Who was Mother Teresa?

Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary. She was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which is now part of North Macedonia. Mother Teresa dedicated her life to serving the poor and the sick, particularly in the slums of Kolkata, India. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation that provides care for those in need. Mother Teresa’s selfless acts of compassion and her unwavering commitment to helping others have made her an iconic figure in the world.

2. What were Mother Teresa’s achievements?

Mother Teresa’s achievements are numerous and impactful. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, which now operates in over 130 countries, providing medical care, education, and shelter to those in need. Mother Teresa opened homes for the dying, orphanages, and leper colonies. She inspired countless individuals around the world to dedicate their lives to serving others. Mother Teresa’s legacy lives on through the continued work of the Missionaries of Charity and the inspiration she provides to people everywhere.

3. How did Mother Teresa help the poor?

Mother Teresa dedicated her life to helping the poor. She provided food, shelter, and medical care to those in need, particularly in the slums of Kolkata. Mother Teresa opened homes for the dying, where people could receive care and compassion in their final days. She also established orphanages to provide a safe haven for abandoned children. Mother Teresa’s selfless actions and her commitment to the poor have touched the lives of countless individuals and continue to inspire others to make a difference in the world.

4. What were Mother Teresa’s beliefs and values?

Mother Teresa was a deeply religious woman and her faith played a significant role in her life and work. She believed in the importance of showing love and compassion to all, regardless of their social status or background. Mother Teresa’s values centered around serving others and treating everyone with dignity and respect. She saw the face of Christ in those she helped and believed in the power of love to transform lives. Mother Teresa’s unwavering faith and her commitment to her beliefs guided her in her mission to alleviate the suffering of the poor and the sick.

5. How has Mother Teresa’s work impacted the world?

Mother Teresa’s work has had a profound impact on the world. Her selfless acts of compassion and her unwavering commitment to helping others have inspired countless individuals to dedicate their lives to serving the poor and the sick. The Missionaries of Charity, the religious congregation she founded, continues to provide care and support to those in need around the world. Mother Teresa’s legacy serves as a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Her work has challenged societal norms and has brought attention to the plight of the poor, inspiring others to take action and make a positive change in the world.