Pope Congratulates the Missionaries of Charity Celebrating the Centenary of Mother Teresa's Birth

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
27 Aug 2010

The Pope has encouraged the Missionaries of Charity to continue the work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. August 26th marks the 100th anniversary of her birth.

In a letter to the congregation, Benedict XVI encouraged members to follow the spirituality of Mother Teresa and to fulfill Christ's invitation to be light in the world.

He said that the example of Mother Teresa's love must continue to inspire them to be always closer to Jesus, who they see and serve in the poor, the sick and the abandoned.

The Pope says that this year will let "the Church and the world" express the "gratitude to God for the inestimable gift of Mother Teresa." He says she is "spiritually united" to all the celebrations taking place around the world.

Mother Teresa was born a hundred years ago in Skpoje, the capital of modern day Macedonia. Known as Gonxha Agnes Bojaxhiu, she entered the Order of Loreto at age 18.

Her first assignment took her to Calcutta, India, where she taught at Saint Mary's High School. Later, during a journey, she came to realize that God was calling her to found a new congregation dedicated to serving society's most abandoned.

After receiving permission from the Vatican in 1948 to start her new congregation, she began her new ministry by taking care of the abandoned, the dying, disabled children and those living on the streets.

John Paul II, a great friend and admirer of Mother Teresa, visited her in Calcutta, and beatified her in 2003, six years after her death.

But Mother Teresa was not one to care about recognition and honours. She only wanted to serve others, especially the destitute, and to do so with a loving spirit.

There are hundreds of initiatives around the world today to remember the birth of "the mother of the poor" as she was affectionately known.