Mother Teresa

Born: Gonxha Bojaxhiu 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. Thérèse 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.


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.

In 1980 Mother Teresa also founded the Corpus Christi Movement for priests
desiring to share in her spirituality.

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.