Mother Teresa, known as the “Saint of the Gutters,” dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor, embodying the virtues of compassion, humility, and selflessness. Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia, she felt a calling to religious life from a young age.

At the age of 18, Agnes joined the Sisters of Loreto, a Catholic religious congregation, and took the name Sister Mary Teresa. After training in Dublin, Ireland, she was sent to India, where she taught at a school for girls in Calcutta (now Kolkata). It was during this time that she witnessed the abject poverty and suffering that afflicted the city’s slums, igniting a deep sense of compassion within her.

In 1948, Sister Teresa received what she described as a “call within a call” from God, urging her to leave the convent and serve the poorest of the poor on the streets of Calcutta. With unwavering faith and determination, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to serving the sick, the hungry, the homeless, and the dying.

Mother Teresa and her sisters ministered to the destitute, offering them love, dignity, and care in their most desperate moments. They opened homes for the dying, orphanages for abandoned children, and centers for the sick and disabled, providing them with food, shelter, and medical attention.

Despite facing criticism and skepticism, Mother Teresa remained steadfast in her mission, never wavering in her commitment to the marginalized and forgotten. Her tireless efforts earned her international recognition and numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, which she humbly accepted on behalf of the poor.

Mother Teresa’s life was a testament to the transformative power of love and service. She once said, “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” Her legacy continues to inspire millions of people around the world to reach out to those in need and to live lives of compassion and kindness.

On September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love that transcends borders, religions, and generations. Though she may have been small in stature, her impact on the world was immeasurable. As she once said, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” And indeed, her life was a beautiful love letter to humanity, reminding us of the power of selfless compassion to transform lives and heal the world.