General presentation of Saint Mother Teresa
Saint Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in 1910, was an Albanian nun who became famous for her humanitarian work among the poorest in Calcutta, India. She is the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to serving the most destitute, the sick, and the dying. Known for her great humility and dedication, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Mother Teresa endured decades of spiritual doubt, which she called the "dark night of faith," but this never shook her mission. She was canonized in 2016 by Pope Francis, becoming Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
Correspondence chart of Saint Mother Teresa
| Role | Missionary and founder of the Missionaries of Charity |
| Patronage | The poor, the sick, the destitute |
| Feast | September 5 |
Symbols and appearances of Saint Mother Teresa
Saint Mother Teresa is often depicted wearing her iconic habit: a white sari edged with blue, a symbol of simplicity and purity. Her charitable works and commitment to the poor earned her the nickname "icon of the Good Samaritan." Her kind face and small but powerful stature made her a symbol of love and compassion.
Myths of Saint Mother Teresa
One of the major milestones in Mother Teresa's life is her "call within the call," a mystical experience in 1946 on a train to Darjeeling, where she felt the divine call to leave the safety of her convent to live among the poorest. This moment marks the beginning of her mission to the most destitute. Despite her public aura of great holiness, she went through a period of spiritual darkness, living in deep inner solitude. She is also known for her promise to continue helping the poor even after her death.
