Mother Teresa - My Hero

Mother Teresa: A Biography

Mother Teresa was born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 26, 1910. Agnes’s mother raised her as a Roman Catholic. At the age of twelve, Agnes had a strong calling towards God. She knew that she wanted to spread the love of Christ and become a missionary. When she was eighteen, she left the home of her parents and joined the "Sisters of Loreto", an Irish community of nuns, who had missions in India. Agnes was trained in Dublin until May, 24, 1931, when she took her initial vows and became a nun. At that time, Agnes wanted her name changed to "Thérèse de Lisieux", the Patron Saint of Missionaries. Unfortunately, another nun had chosen that name, so she changed her name to Teresa, the Spanish spelling of the name. Teresa taught at St. Mary’s High School in Calcutta, India, from 1931 to 1948. During that time, Teresa witnessed suffering and poverty around her. This made such an impression on her, that in 1948 she received permission to leave the convent school. Teresa then devoted herself to work in the slums of Calcutta, helping the poorest of the poor. Teresa had no funds, but still worked hard to provide help for the people who lived in the slums. She also started a school for the children in the slums. She was soon joined by volunteers who made it possible for her to continue her work for the poor. Overtime, Sister Teresa had become Mother Teresa, because of her caring nature, and her compassion for the poor.
Mother Teresa’s first year in the slums was filled with difficulties. She had no means of income and eventually had to beg for food and supplies. This showed how much she cared for helping those who needed the most help. Mother Teresa experienced difficulties, doubt, loneliness, and temptation to return to the convent life, where there was comfort. But even through this, she didn’t return. She was determined and inspired by the poor. She saw how much they suffered, but how they could not leave and stop their own suffering. She saw how much they hurt, but how they couldn't change their living standards by themselves. She wrote in her diary:
“…Today I learnt a good lesson. The life of the poor must be so hard for them. While looking for a home I walked and walked till my arms and legs ache. I though how much they must ache in body and soul, looking for a home, food and health…”
On October 7, 1950, Teresa started her own order, “The Missionaries of Charity”. They strived to love and care for those who nobody was prepared to look after. Mother Teresa said the charity was to look after: “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone” It began in Calcutta as a small order, with only thirteen members. But by 1997, it had more than 4000 nuns running orphanages, AIDS hospices and charity centers worldwide, caring for refuges, the blind, disabled, aged, alcoholics, the poor and homeless, and victims effected by floods epidemics, and famine.
In 1952, the first “Home for the Dying” was opened by Mother Teresa. The home was a free hospital for the poor. Those who were brought to the home received medical attention, and were given the opportunity to die with dignity. Mother Teresa said, “A beautiful death, is for people who lived like animals to die like angels; loved and wanted”
There were increasing numbers of lost children arriving in “The Missionaries of Charity”, and Mother Teresa created a home for them. In 1955, she opened “The Children’s Home of the Immaculate Heart”, a place where orphans and homeless youth could call home. Children were very important to Mother Teresa; she was determined to provide them with a safe home, and people who would love them.
Mother Teresa suffered a heart attack while visiting Pope John Paul II, in 1983. In 1989, she had a second heart attack, and was given an artificial pacemaker. Mother Teresa had more heart problems after having pneumonia while in Mexico. In April 1996, she fell and broke her collar bone. In August of the same year, Mother Teresa suffered from malaria and the failure of her left heart ventricle. She had heart surgery, but her health was declining. On March 13, 1997, Mother Teresa stepped down from being the head of “The Missionaries of Charity”. She later died on September 5, 1997.
Mother Teresa was an inspirational humanitarian to many. She was kind to everyone, and helped many throughout her lifetime. Even with the difficulties she faced, she never gave up on the people who needed her help the most. Mother Teresa provided love for those who were unloved. She provided a safe haven, for people who didn't have anything. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the former United Nations Secretary General said: “She is the United Nations. She is the peace in the world”. Javier was right; Mother Teresa was the peace in the world. She didn't care about the money you had, or how you looked, where you came from, or what disease you had; if you needed her help, she was there to help you. She would provide you with food and a safe home if you needed it. Mother Teresa was always there took take you’re suffering away. She helped and cared the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa was an amazing person, and my hero.

By: Abigail Nazareth