Chapter 59
IA, MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, born to a devout Albanian family on August 26, 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia (then part of the Ottoman Empire) Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. Her father was a businessman with interests in construction and pharmaceuticals, and her mother, Dranafile Bojaxhiu, was a devoted housewife.
She lost her father at a young age, and her mother, Dranafile, had a great influence on her religious and charitable life; She is known worldwide for her humanitarian and charitable work.
Anjezë was educated in Catholic schools and showed a strong religious devotion from an early age. At eight years old she lost her father; She grew even closer to her mother, who instilled in her a deep faith and a charitable spirit.
At age 12, Anjezë felt the call to serve God and the poor; At age 18, she left home to join the Loreto Sisters in Rathfarnham, Ireland, where she began her religious formation.
She joined the sisters of Loreto in Ireland, where she took the name Teresa in honor of Saint Therese of Lisieux and in 1929, she arrived in India and began her novitiate in Darjeeling.
In 1929, Mother Teresa arrived in Calcutta (then part of the British Raj) and began teaching at St. Mary's High School, an institution for girls belonging to the order of Loreto. She taught geography and catechism, and eventually became headmistress of the school in 1944.
In 1946, during a train journey to Darjeeling, she felt a new calling, a vocation to dedicate herself to helping the poorest of the poor by living among them and like them.
In 1948, after receiving permission from the Church to leave the Loreto convent and live as an independent nun, she prepared herself with a short nursing course. On October 7, 1950, with only a dozen members, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, whose charisma was to care for those most in need, regardless of their religion or nationality.
In 1950, she received permission from the Vatican to found the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation dedicated to caring for the poor, sick and dying.
Mother Teresa and her sisters cared for the homeless, ran hospices for the dying, leper colonies, orphanages, and schools.
Mother Teresa began her work among the poorest in Calcutta, teaching slum children, caring for the sick, and feeding the hungry. Her first school was outdoors, and her first home was an abandoned shelter where she cared for the dying.
Over time, her work expanded significantly. She founded hospices for the dying, leprosarium, orphanages, schools, and centers for AIDS patients, always with the aim of offering dignity and love to the most helpless.
Mother Teresa received numerous awards for her humanitarian work and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work fighting poverty and suffering.
Upon receiving the Nobel, she used the platform to speak out against abortion and promote peace and love in the world.
Through her travels and speeches, Mother Teresa spread her message of love and service, inspiring people of all religions and nationalities.
As is often the case, over the years, she also faced criticism, especially about the quality of medical care at her hospice and her stance on suffering and religious conversion. She suffered several health problems in her later years, including a heart attack in 1983, and a broken collarbone in 1989. Despite this, she continued to work tirelessly.
Despite her health problems, she continued working until her final years. She died on September 5, 1997 in Calcutta and was beatified in 2003 by Pope John Paul II; She canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta on September 4, 2016 by Pope Francis.
On several occasions, Mother Teresa defended her work by stating that her goal was to offer love and care to the most helpless, providing a dignified death to those who had no one else.
Her work has inspired millions and the Missionaries of Charity continue her mission in more than 130 countries.
Her life and work have been the subject of numerous documentaries, books and films. One of her best-known phrases is: "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love."
She was beatified in 2003 by Pope John Paul II and canonized on September 4, 2016 by Pope Francis, and she was proclaimed Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
The Missionaries of Charity continue their work in more than 130 countries, with thousands of sisters and volunteers working in hospitals, orphanages and centers for the homeless. Her life and work continue to be a source of inspiration to millions of people; Her legacy continues to motivate others to dedicate their lives to the service of others.
Numerous books and biographies have been written about Mother Teresa, including "Mother Teresa: Come, Be My Light," which reveals her spiritual struggles and deep faith. Her life has been portrayed in several films and documentaries, such as "Mother Teresa" (2003), which explore her work and her legacy.
Message of love: One of her best-known phrases is: "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." This phrase encapsulates her philosophy of life and her focus on the importance of everyday actions done with love.
AI Opinion: José Saul Velásquez Restrepo's essay on Mother Teresa of Calcutta offers a complete vision of her life and work, highlighting her origins, her religious vocation, and her dedication to the poorest. Her narrative details from her childhood in a devout family in Macedonia to her training with the Sisters of Loreto and her arrival in India, where she laid the foundation for her humanitarian work.
One of the most interesting aspects of the text is how it highlights the influence of her mother, Dranafile Bojaxhiu, on her spiritual and charitable development. This maternal relationship appears to be a cornerstone in the formation of Mother Teresa's character and motivations, a connection that is often overlooked in other accounts of her life.
The essay also accurately addresses the pivotal moment in 1946, when Mother Teresa felt a "call within the call" during a train ride, leading her to leave the comfort of the Loreto convent and plunge directly into service to the neediest in Calcutta. This point marks a significant turn in her life, highlighting her courage and determination to pursue her new mission despite her difficulties.
Velásquez Restrepo not only recounts Mother Teresa's achievements, such as founding the Missionaries of Charity and the numerous awards she received, but also mentions the criticism she faced, particularly regarding the quality of medical care in their hospices and their stance on suffering and religious conversion. This inclusion of criticism provides a necessary balance, presenting a sanctified figure with a humane and realistic approach.
The essay culminates with a reflection on Mother Teresa's legacy, highlighting how her work and teachings continue to inspire people around the world. The quote "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love" perfectly encapsulates her philosophy and her lasting impact.
Overall, Velásquez Restrepo's text is a well-balanced and detailed tribute to the life and work of Mother Teresa, providing insight into both her achievements and the challenges she faced. Her focus on Mother Teresa's personal roots and inner motivations adds depth to the understanding of this iconic figure.
