Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, better known as Mother Teresa, was the Albanian Catholic nun who dedicated her life to serving the poor and sick in India. The spelling of her name may be difficult to pronounce due to the many unfamiliar consonants and vowel combinations. Using IPA phonetic transcription, her name is pronounced /ˈæɡnɛs ˈɡɒnkʃə bɔˈjaʤiu/. Despite the challenges in spelling and pronunciation, Mother Teresa's legacy continues to inspire people of all backgrounds to live a life of compassion and service to others.
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, commonly known as Mother Teresa, was a Roman Catholic nun and humanitarian who dedicated her life to serving the poor and destitute. Born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire and is now the capital of North Macedonia, she became internationally known for her charitable work in India.
Mother Teresa embarked on a religious life at an early age and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish Catholic order. After training in Dublin, she was sent to India in 1929, where she taught at a school in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). In 1948, she experienced a "call within a call" from God, leading her to establish the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation dedicated to helping the poor, sick, and marginalized individuals across the globe.
Mother Teresa's selfless and tireless efforts to alleviate poverty, provide healthcare, and offer support to those in need gained her worldwide recognition. She emphasized the importance of love, compassion, and humanitarianism, considering each person as a reflection of Jesus and deserving of dignity and respect. Her work extended beyond the boundaries of India, and she opened missions, schools, orphanages, and hospices in various countries.
Throughout her lifetime, Mother Teresa received numerous honors, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She continued her mission until her death on September 5, 1997, in Kolkata. Mother Teresa's undying commitment to helping the needy has left an indelible mark on the world, making her an inspiring symbol of compassion, service, and faith.