Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa

  "Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a Roman Catholic nun who founded the only Catholic religious order still growing in membership, was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Yugoslavia, on August 27, 1910. Her parents were Albanian grocers, and at the time of her birth Skopje lay within the Ottoman Empire. She attended public school in Skopje, and first showed religious interests as a member of a school sodality that focused on foreign missions. By the age of 12 she felt she had a calling to help the poor"(Encyclopedia of World Biography). She hoped that by the age of 18 she could become a Sister of Loretto. This was just the beginning of her inspirational and dedicated life. She had a mission in her life, which was to help the poor without being rewarded for it. She believed that the great God sent her that mission in life, which she followed with true spirit and dedication like no other. The way Mother Teresa helped anyone in poverty and suffering, earned her the title of a true hero.

  Mother Teresa believed: " Many people mistake our work for our vocation. Our vocation is the love of Jesus." (Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale) Mother Teresa's selfless acts brought her far, founding plenty of charities that can help the less fortunate from disease, hungry, uncared etc., but she kept her promise to God . She was an idol, many medias were looking forward to interview her."Our life of poverty is as necessary as the work itself. Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them" (Brainy Quotes). She didn't visualize herself as a rich, famous, luxurious, person, she saw herself as just another person trying to change the world. Which she accomplished by following what God had told her. She has made such great changes for the world that I believe nobody else could ever do. She has made a great impact to everyone including me.

"The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted." (Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale) Mother Teresa strongly showed  selflessness through her acts of generosity toward the forgotten, unloved and uncared for. Mother Teresa's selflessness allowed her to continue to help the ones in needs despite of her condition. "Despite frequent health problems in the last 14 years of her life, Mother Teresa continued to travel, spread her message of generosity, and care for those who needed it most" (Brainy Quotes) Even though she wasn't in great health, the option of give up on what she loved to do was always open.  Through the love and inner strength she received from her people, she persisted.  She knew that there were many others that had it worse, and that it was up to her to be the change in the world. Mother Teresa always showed true love to her followers .She found herself in places where people were neglected the most, she spread her love and happiness. "In order to respond better for both the physical and spiritual needs of the poor, Mother Teresa founded the missionaries of Charity Brothers In 1963, the Contemplative branch of the sisters in 1976, the contemplative brothers in 1979 and the missionaries of charity fathers in 1984" (Mother Teresa of Calcutta). One religious community was not enough for mother Teresa because she believed that the less fortunate had the right to enjoy of basic luxuries, just like anyone else. Many of us think that by serving the poor once in our lives, it is enough, but Mother Teresa devoted her life to this showing true commitment. Creating health centers for the poor was just one of her many giving acts. Setting others before herself was not challenging for mother Teresa simply because it came from the heart. Besides her selflessness she dominated the valuable trait of humbleness.

 A lot of people would of altered their life's with a bit of fame and fortune once they'd reached where Mother Teresa had been. She traded fame and fortune for her own passion, more than anything. "There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things that we could use." (Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale) Mother Teresa enjoyed helping the less fortunate by making good use of things that went to waste. She could of enjoyed life a little more, but instead she picked the road to help people. Mother Teresa only concern was to change someone's life around day by day, this always caught the media's attention, but she didn't want any part of that. When she was asked to give interviews she never really did like the spotlight, she simply just sent out messages to all people. "I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn't touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God" (World Book Student).  She focused on helping someone in the struggle or life style, never expecting to get anything in return . She stayed real to herself and others praising her. Mother Teresa wanted to complete her mission; the one god had given her. She knew she had accomplished a lot, but this encouraged her to do much more.She didn't do this for money, fame, or anything else, she did it for her and to finish her mission. Even though she had caused a great amount of changes around the world, she remained as a normal, simple person. She was happy with what she had and didn't feel the need to brag about any of her achievements, making her one of the most humble peace makers of the 20th century.

          Mother Teresa has been an inspiring figure to me because she portrayed to a selfless and humble human being all the way until the day of her death on September 5, 1997. She was "a pencil in god's hand", leaving wise words behind, hoping that one day the world would follow her example. The humbleness and selflessness that mother Teresa possessed, are the building blocks of a true heroic figure.

          Works Citations                               

http://www.motherteresa.org/layout.html

 http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/media?id=sr598001

http://find.galegroup.com