Mother Theresa

Born Agnes Bojaxhiu, on August 26th 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia.

What is known about her father is that he had been a merchant with political ambitions. They were an extremely close family. Her mother was known for providing many charitable acts such as feeding the poor and her regular attendance of church.

At age eight, Agnes’ father mysteriously dies and the circumstances are ambiguous, some say he was killed by political opponents. Agnes becomes a very important figure in her local church, doing many charitable acts. At age 18, Agnes goes to Ireland, where she studied theology and joined the Sister of Loreto in Dublin. This is where she was given the name, Theresa.

She is next known to be in Calcutta, where she teaches at Saint Mary’s High School for girls. She tells the story of being on a train from Calcutta to the Himalayan Mountains, where she received her calling from God. Her calling tells her to return to Calcutta and work, aiding the orphans, poor, sick and poverty stricken people.

It was at this time that she founded the Missionaries of Charity, taking in the unloved, unwanted and dying. In the next few years, she would establish a leper colony, nursing homes, orphanages and mobile clinics. She worked tirelessly for decades, feeding and helping anyone in crisis. In 1985, she received the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

Mother Theresa died in September of 1997. Having founded over 800 foundations all over the world. She is the Patron Saint of Children, the poor and downtrodden.