She was born to an Albanian family in Macedonia. As a young girl she was involved in parish activities. Her mother was very devout and told her stories of missionaries who inspired her. At the age of 18, she joined the missionary order of the Sisters of Loreto, in Ireland. As a young sister she travelled to Calcutta, India. There she taught at a school for girls for almost 20 years. She was deeply moved by the number of the sick and dying people on the street. In 1946, she understood God’s call: to serve the sick, dying, hungry and homeless people. After she got medical training, other women followed her. In 1950, she founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity. She became known as Mother Teresa of Calcutta. As the years passed, centres of this Order were built throughout the world. In 1979 she received the Nobel Prize for peace. She died in 1997.
She is the Patron Saint of World Youth Day, the Missionaries of Charity, and co-patron of the Archdiocese of Calcutta.
Her feast day is 4th September
We have chosen St Teresa of Calcutta for year 10 because we want to have a focus on outreach in the community this year with you. This is work that St Teresa valued above all else.
The Catholic Social Teaching Principles linked to the works of St Teresa of Calcutta are Option for the Poor, Dignity and Solidarity.
