How Mother Teresa of Calcutta Became a Saint

Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, is one of the most revered figures of the 20th century. Known for her selflessness, compassion, and tireless dedication to the poor and sick, Mother Teresa dedicated her life to serving others. Due to her immense impact and the miracles attributed to her intercession following her death, she was declared a saint by the Catholic Church in 2016.

Mother Teresa’s journey to sainthood started long before her canonization. Born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, a town that is now part of North Macedonia, she felt a calling to serve humanity from an early age. At the age of 18, she left home to join the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India.

In 1929, Mother Teresa arrived in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), a city plagued by poverty, disease, and despair. It was here that she began her work with the poor and the sick. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, a religious congregation devoted to helping those who had been abandoned by society. Her selfless acts of kindness and unwavering dedication soon gained global recognition.

As her work expanded, so did Mother Teresa’s influence. The Missionaries of Charity grew to include missions in more than 130 countries, providing invaluable aid to millions of people. Her compassionate spirit and unwavering faith became an inspiration to people around the world.

Mother Teresa’s path to sainthood accelerated after her death on September 5, 1997. Following her passing, the Vatican initiated the formal process of canonization, which involves investigating the person’s life, writings, and examining any alleged miracles. In 1999, Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Teresa, the first step towards sainthood.

However, to be declared a saint, the Catholic Church requires evidence of at least two miracles attributed to the intercession of the individual. In the case of Mother Teresa, two impactful miracles were documented. The first miracle involved Monica Besra, a woman suffering from a large abdominal tumor. Despite medical treatment, her condition worsened. After praying with a locket containing Mother Teresa’s picture, Monica claimed to have been miraculously healed. This was considered the necessary miracle for Mother Teresa’s beatification.

The second miracle occurred in Brazil when a man named Marcilio Haddad Andrino was diagnosed with a severe brain infection that left him in a coma. His wife and family prayed fervently to Mother Teresa for his recovery. Miraculously, Haddad Andrino made a complete recovery. This healing, documented and verified by medical professionals, was the miracle that led to Mother Teresa’s canonization.

On September 4, 2016, Pope Francis declared Mother Teresa a saint during a canonization ceremony at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The ceremony was attended by thousands of people from around the world who had been touched by her compassion, humility, and tireless service.

The canonization of Mother Teresa highlights her incredible self-sacrifice and devotion to humanity. She personified love, charity, and kindness and continues to be an inspiration for millions of people worldwide. Her canonization also serves as a testament to the transformative power of faith and the profound impact one person can have on the world.

Mother Teresa’s sainthood is a reminder that goodness and compassion continue to exist in a world that often feels consumed by materialism and individualism. It signifies the endurance of hope, the significance of selflessness, and the importance of striving for a better world.

In conclusion, Mother Teresa’s journey to sainthood showcases her exceptional life as a servant of humanity. Through her tireless efforts, she brought comfort, love, and hope to countless people in need. Her canonization solidifies her position as a role model and serves as a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on the world. Mother Teresa’s legacy lives on, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps and make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate.