The celebration of the saints’ calendar allows us to remember men and women who stood out for their faith, dedication and commitment to others. Among them is Saint Teresa of Calcutta, whose humanitarian and religious work focused on caring for the sick, homeless people and those living in extreme poverty.
SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA
Saint Teresa of Calcutta was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, then part of the Ottoman Empire. From a very young age, she felt called to religious life and, at 18, joined the Sisters of Loreto. In 1929, she arrived in India, where she would spend much of her life teaching and later serving those most in need.
In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, a religious congregation dedicated to caring for poor, sick, orphaned and abandoned people. Over the years, her work spread to numerous countries and made her an internationally recognized figure for her commitment to the dignity of the most vulnerable. In 1979, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta died on September 5, 1997, in Calcutta, the date on which the Catholic Church currently celebrates her liturgical memorial. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2003 and canonized by Pope Francis on September 4, 2016. She remains a symbol of charity and dedication to those most in need.
WHY ARE SAINTS’ FEAST DAYS CELEBRATED?
The celebration of saints’ feast days has its origins in the Christian tradition established in Spain. But what does it actually mean to celebrate a saint’s day? Catholicism has set aside each day of the year to remember Christians who played an important role and who also suffered persecution from those who rejected the Catholic faith.
The Roman Martyrology lists the names in the calendar of saints as we know it. The name refers to a kind of encyclopedia that the Vatican updates by adding new saints after their canonization.
