Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa holding an armless child (Monroe Gallery of Photography-Eddie Adams)

When Mother Teresa was 18 years old, she joined a religious order called the Sisters of Loreto, who sent her to live and teach in Calcutta, India. From 1931-1948 Mother Teresa taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta. While traveling in India, Mother Teresa looked at the terrible condition of the poor and hungry. She felt the call to serve the poorest of the poor.

After three months of medical training, Mother Teresa went to the live in the slums of Calcutta. She started a school for the poor children, and held classes in the open air. Soon she established a religious community called Missionaries of Charity. In a few years, Mother Teresa was given the use of two large rooms in a Hindu Temple. There she brought poor people who were dying. She and the Sisters bathed them, fed them, offering them whatever loving care they could. Mother Teresa also established a special community where people suffering from the leprosy could receive medical treatment and live decent lives.

Mother Teresa receiving the Nobel Peace Prize

Mother Teresa was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. The prize was a recognition that her compassion for the neediest had taught us to look beyond our lives and help who have nothing.

Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997. The Missionaries of Charity have grown to over 3,000 Sisters in 517 missions throughout 100 countries worldwide. They dedicate their lives as she dedicated hers. They continue to carry their message of compassion and love to the poor around the world.