She was born on 27
th
August 1910.Her real name
was Agnes Gionxhu Bejuxhiu and she was the
youngest child of Nikola, a politician, and
Drane Bejuxhiu in Skopje in Yugoslavia.
Age 12 - decided on a religious life.
Age 18 – joined the Sisters of Loretto
Age 21 – takes first religious vows
On 10
th
sep 1946, Teresa was quietly praying on a train
travelling from Calcutta to Darjeeling then god spoke
to her
Sister Teresa returned to the convent in Calcutta and
requested for leave to work in slums, but her requested
is refused
After two years she was given special permission from
the Loreto order to work in slums
sister Teresa finally left the Loreto convent on aug 16
th
1948
October 7
th
1950 – Vatican permission to set up
Missionaries of Charity, to care for the hungry, the naked,
the homeless, the crippled, the blind and lepers.
She started with 13 nuns now there are over 4,000
wake up at 4.30hrs
Two hours prayer with all sisters
Light breakfast
Walk out to work in slums, dressed with blue
bordered white sari and a bag on shoulder
Devoted time management
Teach the children
Work with the sick, the dying or those
suffering from leprosy
Collect, prepare and give out food
Raise the funds for the needy people
1948: she dedicated the majority of her life in
helping the poorest of poor in India, thus gaining
her the name “saint of the gutters”
She received medical training and education in
Paris
she started a dispensary, handing out bandages,
medicines and food, donated by people
1952 – opens Nirmal Hriday [pure heart] for the dying.
1955 – opens Nirmala Shishu Bhavan [immaculate heart] for lost
children or children's home.
1957 – opens Shanti Nagar [city of peace] a home for lepers.
Her order became well known for this work!
With Diana, princess of
Wales
With Pope Paul VI
1979: the devotion towards the poor won her respect
throughout the world and the noble peace prize
Special award for excellence
from the indo-American
society at the headquarters
of missionaries of charity in
Calcutta march 16
th
,1997
1983 – 1
st
heart attack whilst visiting Pope John Paul II.
1989 – 2
nd
heart attack, fitted with a pace maker.
1992 – goes into hospital in USA for pneumonia and heart
problems.
1993 – In May she broke 3 ribs, In August she suffers from
malaria and in September she had surgery for a blocked
blood vessel.
1996 – In April she fell and broke her collar bone and in
August she suffered malarial fever and more heart
problems.
March 13
th
1997 – she stepped down as head nun and is
replace by sister nirnala
September 5
th
1997 – She died of a massive heart attack in
Calcutta at the age of 87.
her funeral was on the 13
th
of September 1997.
Sisters of missionaries of charity pray during the funeral mass for
mother Teresa, the founder of their order , in the netagi indoor
stadium in Calcutta sep 13
th
1997
1962 - Padma shri award
1971 - Pope John XXIII peace prize
1975 - Albert Schweitzer international prize
1976 - Pacem in Terris award
1978 - Balzon prize
1979 - Noble Peace Prize
1983 - Order of Merit
1985 - Medal of Freedom
1994 - Golden Honour of the Nation [Albania]
1996 - Honorary citizenship of USA
1998 - Pope John Paul II begins the process to make her a saint.
This process is still going on