"Mother Teresa" (1910 – 1997) Macedonian Catholic missionary nun

Mother Teresa was a legendary figure who dedicated her life to helping the poorest of the poor. Born in Skopje, now the capital of North Macedonia, on August 26, 1910, she was the youngest of three children. Her parents were both devout Roman Catholics and she was raised in a strong faith-based household.

At the age of 18, she joined the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland, taking the name Teresa after Saint Teresa of Avila. After completing her training, she was sent to India where she taught at St. Mary’s High School in Calcutta. In 1948, she made a momentous decision to leave the convent and dedicate her life to helping the poorest of the poor. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order devoted to helping the destitute. She was soon joined by other volunteers, and soon, the order had grown to more than 4,000 members working in more than 130 countries. Mother Teresa’s work was recognized around the world. She was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and was awarded the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless efforts to help the poor. She also received numerous honorary doctorates from universities around the world. Mother Teresa was a woman of faith and compassion who dedicated her life to helping those in need. She believed that every person deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, and she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor and destitute. Her work inspired people around the world, and she became an icon of selfless service. Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997, at the age of 87. She was remembered around the world as a woman of faith, compassion, and courage whose selfless service changed the world. Her legacy lives on through the Missionaries of Charity, whose members continue to serve the poorest of the poor in more than 130 countries.