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Doctrine

Mother Teresa has done many great things in her life such as being a teacher, being a nun, and helping the sick. One of the most lasting accomplishments is being the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, which is an order of nuns who help poor, sick and dying people all over the world. Throughout her life, she never let anyone get in the way of her helping others. She would never give up. She never stopped loving. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born on August 27, 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia. Her early life was spent happily with her parents, brother and sister; however, her father died when she was only 7. She was fascinated with the missions when she was only 12 and she felt drawn to service even though she didn’t quite know exactly what kind of service she would do. When Agnes was 18, she joined the Loreto Sisters of Dublin who were teachers in Ireland. Once she became a nun, she never saw her mother again. As a sister, she was very obedient to her superiors. After a few years, she took final vows as a sister and took the name Teresa. She chose her name after two saints: Teresa of Avila and Therese of Lisieux. She was sent to teach at a school for wealthy girls in Calcutta. She loved teaching; however, on a retreat to a poor area, Teresa was struck by the horrible conditions in the slums of India. There, Teresa found her life’s work. Teresa had to endure difficulties in leaving the Loreto Sisters and starting a new order. Once she received permission to leave her convent and go out on her own, Teresa decided to adapt to the Indian culture. She wore a plain sari and sandals. She cared for the poor in the streets. Teresa began teaching the children basic skills and was drawn to the sick people in their families. She even took classes to learn how to best care for the sick. After a while other young women came to help Teresa in her ministry. Soon the whole world found out about the work that they were doing, more people began to help, and the Missionaries of Charity were started. Many young women were called to help now Mother Teresa and new services were offered including hospitals, treatment centers, orphanages and many other services for the poor. Throughout the 1960’s through the 1980’s the Missionaries of Charity opened houses on every continent of the world. By the year 2000 Mother Teresa even helped people in countries where there was a lot of political tension. The Missionaries of Charity even help relief workers in places where natural disasters have occurred. People throughout the world looked to Mother Teresa as an example of kindness. She was sought by people of all nationalities and faiths. In 1979, Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize for her work all over the world. She accepted the award humbly “in the name of the poor.” Mother Teresa inspired others by her actions. She worked tirelessly for the poor, sick, and suffering of the world. When asked about her accomplishments, Mother Teresa told everyone to look for Jesus in others: the homeless and the hungry. She started every day with silent prayer. She “carried Jesus with her” throughout her work. During all her years caring for the poor and spreading her mission, Mother Teresa suffered from a spiritual pain where she doubted God. She called her suffering, “the darkness.” In spite of her internal difficulties, outwardly, she radiated God’s love. Mother Teresa continued to labor even as she got older and her health suffered. She passed on her life’s work to her sisters and instructed them to the end. On September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa died in Calcutta, India. In only a couple of years after her death, Pope John Paul II allowed a cause to be opened for Mother Teresa’s canonization. After the approval of her virtues and miracles, Mother Teresa was beatified 2003. Mother Teresa is a true model for me. She was also a very loving humanitarian. We can all learn from her example. She did not simply care for the physical needs of others. She was also concerned with their emotional well-being. She encouraged her sisters to serve others with a smile. The fact that she was so dedicated to her work brightens my day. Mother Teresa always makes me want to get up off my seat and help anyone in need. In the year 1979 Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize. After all the work she had done for India she had become a citizen of India. I'm sure all of the Indian people appreciated her work there. She never gave up and never let what other people said about her get to her. Mother Teresa is one of the most caring heroines. "Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."
 * Mother Teresa **

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