Mother Teresa

Image  Credit - joe-renaissanceman.blogspot.com

Every so often I write a blog on inspirational people.  I would like to dedicate this to a woman who was born to make a difference and even in death her name lives on as a beacon of hope for those who need care, love and attention.  Mother Teresa has to be one of the warmest humans who lived her dedicated life to others as a saint.

Born: Agnes Gonxha Bajaxhiu on August 26, 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia

Died: Mother Teresa on September 5, 1997 in Kolkata, India

Received: Joined the Loreto Novitiate on May 23, 1929

First Profession: May 25, 1931 and was to be known as Sister Teresa after her patroness St. Therese of Lisieux

Final Profession: May 24, 1937 and was to be known as Mother Teresa following Loreto custom

Inspiration Day: September 10, 1946 on a train journey from Calcutta to Darjeeling, Mother Teresa received the "call within a call," which was to give rise to the Missionaries of Charity Order.

Founded MC: October 7, 1950 the Missionaries of Charity was officially erected as a religious institute for the Archdiocese of Calcutta.

Among the 124 Awards Received:
Padmashree Award (from the President of India) August 1962
Pope John XXIII Peace Prize January 1971
John F. Kennedy International Award September 1971
Jawahalal Nehru Award for International Understanding November 1972
Templeton Prize for "Progress in Religion" April 1973
Nobel Peace Prize December 1979
Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India) March 1980
Order of Merit (from Queen Elizabeth) November 1983
Gold Medal of the Soviet Peace Committee August 1987
United States Congressional Gold Medal June 1997

Missionaries of Charity:

In addition to the Sisters, Mother Teresa founded four other branches of the Missionaries of Charity family. On March 25, 1963, the Archbishop of Calcutta blessed the beginning of an active branch of Brothers. The contemplative branch of the Sisters began in New York on June 25, 1976, and the contemplative Brothers were established in Rome on March 19, 1979. The Fathers were founded in the Bronx, New York on October 13, 1984.

From the very beginning, Mother Teresa also involved lay people in her service to the poor. In March 1969, the Co-Workers of Mother Teresa were officially begun. On April 16, 1984, the Lay Missionaries of Charity were established.

At the time of Mother Teresa's death, The Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity numbered 3,914 members, and were established in 594 communities in 123 countries of the world. Her work continues under the guidance of Sister Nirmala, Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters. The order has grown over 4,000 members in 697 foundations in 131 countries of the world.

Mother Teresa is famous for her many inspired quotes -

My personal favourite - "We can do no great things, only small things with great love!"

You Tube have a page of her many quotes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t47pL-myfZY

We may not all be born to make such a huge difference in the world but whilst we each love other, care about our communities and pray for healing in the world then we are all doing our small bit with great love and collectively that has to make a difference.

Love and Blessings,

Jean Fisher-Taylor