Mother Teresa’s Passing - September 5, 1997

On September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa, the revered Catholic nun and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away in Kolkata, India, at the age of 87. Her death marked the end of a life dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor and left a profound impact on humanitarian work worldwide.

Early Life and Mission

Mother Teresa was born as Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which is now the capital of North Macedonia. At the age of 18, she joined the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland and soon after moved to India, where she began her novitiate in Darjeeling. In 1931, she took her first religious vows and adopted the name Teresa, after Thérèse de Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries.

Founding the Missionaries of Charity

In 1948, Mother Teresa experienced what she described as a “call within a call” to leave the convent and live among the poor. She received permission from the Vatican to pursue this mission, and in 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata. The order began with 12 members and grew to thousands, operating orphanages, hospices, and leper houses worldwide.

Nobel Peace Prize

Mother Teresa’s tireless work and dedication to the destitute earned her international acclaim. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian efforts. She accepted the award “in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, of the crippled, the blind, the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society.”

Legacy and Canonization

Mother Teresa’s passing in 1997 was mourned globally, and her funeral was attended by dignitaries from around the world. Her legacy continues through the ongoing work of the Missionaries of Charity, which remains active in over 130 countries.

In recognition of her life’s work, Mother Teresa was canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church on September 4, 2016, by Pope Francis. Her feast day is celebrated on September 5, the anniversary of her death.

Broader Impact

Mother Teresa’s life and work have inspired countless individuals and organizations to engage in charitable and humanitarian efforts. Her approach to service emphasized compassion, humility, and the inherent dignity of every human being, regardless of their circumstances. Her influence extends beyond religious boundaries, making her a symbol of selfless service and love for humanity.