Today, August 26, marks the Mother Teresa’s 115th Anniversary, born Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910. She is known worldwide for her selfless service to the poorest and most vulnerable in India. Her legacy continues to inspire many acts of kindness.
Mother Teresa’s 115th Anniversary on 26 Aug
Mother Teresa arrived in India in 1929 as a member of the Sisters of Loreto. After teaching for twenty years at St. Mary’s School in Kolkata, she felt what she called a “call within a call” during a train journey in 1946. This experience led her to dedicate her life to the poorest of the poor.
In 1950, she established the Missionaries of Charity with 12 members in Calcutta. This group focused on serving the people whom society had ignored. The organization grew quickly, reaching the sick, dying, homeless, and marginalized in India and eventually globally. By 2023, the Missionaries of Charity had about 5,750 members working in 139 countries, with 244 homes in India, including shelters for women, orphanages, and care centers for those with terminal illnesses.
Enduring Gifts to Humanity
Her hard work earned her several honors, including
- Padma Shri (1962) from the Indian government
- Nobel Peace Prize (1979) for her humanitarian work
- Bharat Ratna (1980), India’s highest civilian award
Despite her global recognition, Mother Teresa remained humble. She lived simply and often said, “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian… As to my heart, I belong completely to the Heart of Jesus.”
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