Saint Teresa of Calcutta is also known as Mother Teresa. Many people around the world know her by that name. She was a Catholic nun. She became famous for helping the poor and sick in India.

She spent most of her life in Calcutta, which is now called Kolkata. She worked with people who were very sick, very poor, or dying. She showed them love and care when others had forgotten them.

Mother Teresa did not try to change big systems. She just helped one person at a time. She believed that small acts of love could make a big difference.

In 2016, she was declared a saint by the Catholic Church. Her life is a strong example of love and service.

Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910. Her birth name was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. She was born in Skopje, which is now in North Macedonia. Her family was Albanian and Catholic.

Her father died when she was young. Her mother raised her and her siblings. Her mother often helped the poor in their town. This had a deep effect on Teresa as a child.

When she was about 18 years old, she felt called to become a nun. She joined the Sisters of Loreto, a Catholic group of women who taught girls. She went to Ireland first to learn English. Then she moved to India to begin her work.

She became a teacher in Calcutta. She lived in a convent and taught girls from well-off families. But over time, she felt that God was calling her to do something more.

In 1946, while riding a train, Mother Teresa had a strong feeling. She felt that Jesus wanted her to leave the convent and serve the poor in the streets. She called this her “call within the call.”

She asked for permission to leave the convent and live among the poor. It took some time, but in 1948, she was allowed to begin this new work. She wore a simple white sari with blue stripes, the dress she became known for.

She started by helping one person at a time. She took care of people who were sick and had no one else. She cleaned wounds, gave food, and offered comfort. She showed love in small ways.

At first, she had no money and no help. But soon, young women came to join her. They wanted to live like her and serve the poor too.

In 1950, Mother Teresa started a new religious group. It was called the Missionaries of Charity. The sisters made a promise to serve the poorest of the poor.

They lived simply. They prayed every day. They cared for people who were dying, hungry, sick, or alone. They opened homes for children, for people with leprosy, and for the dying.

The group grew quickly. Soon they had homes in other parts of India. Then they opened homes in other countries too. People from all over the world wanted to help.

Mother Teresa’s work touched many lives. She said she saw Jesus in every poor person she met. That is what gave her strength to keep going.

Mother Teresa received many awards. In 1979, she won the Nobel Peace Prize. She also met world leaders and spoke at big events. People saw her as a symbol of love and kindness.

She often said that she did not want fame. She only wanted to serve Jesus in the poor. She did not like to talk about herself.

Some people questioned her work. They said the care in her homes was too simple. Others said she should have spoken more against injustice. But many others defended her, saying she stayed true to her mission.

The Catholic Church saw her life as an example of Christian service. Pope John Paul II praised her deeply. She kept helping the poor until the end of her life.

Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997. She was 87 years old. People around the world mourned her death. Her funeral was held in Calcutta with many people in attendance.

In 2003, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II. In 2016, she was canonized by Pope Francis. That means the Church officially declared her a saint.

Her feast day is September 5. She is the patron saint of those who help the poor and those who work in charity. Many people pray to her for strength in serving others.

The Missionaries of Charity still work around the world today. They continue her mission. Saint Teresa of Calcutta reminds us that even small acts of love can help heal the world.

Truth, Beauty, and Goodness Still Shine

Mother Teresa’s life reminded the world that holiness is still possible. She didn’t chase attention—she simply lived the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Gospel every day, especially among the poor and forgotten.

People were drawn to her because she lived with clarity, joy, and love. In a noisy, distracted world, her simple routines kept her rooted in what mattered most. Like her, we can embrace small daily habits that help us stay focused on God. Truth, beauty, and goodness never grow old—and the world still needs them.

Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta

Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light is a book that shares the private letters and thoughts of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. These writings show her deep love for God and her long struggle with doubt and silence. She wrote many of these letters to her spiritual guides. They reveal how she kept serving the poor while feeling far from God inside. The book was put together by Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, who worked closely with her. It shows her faith during hard times and gives a closer look at the hidden part of her life.