On September 5, the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Teresa of Calcutta, known to the world as Mother Teresa. Her life and witness remind us of the power of love lived in small, everyday actions.
Born in 1910 in Skopje, Mother Teresa joined the Sisters of Loreto and began her ministry as a teacher in India. While serving in Calcutta, she felt a profound call to leave the convent and serve the poorest of the poor. With nothing but faith and determination, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a community dedicated to caring for the sick, abandoned, and dying.
Mother Teresa’s message was simple yet powerful: “Do small things with great love.” Her example showed the world that holiness is not reserved for extraordinary deeds, but is found in selfless service, compassion, and seeing Christ in every person. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and in 2016, Pope Francis canonized her as a saint.
On her feast day, we are invited to reflect on how we, too, can serve others with joy. Whether through a kind word, an act of generosity, or caring for someone in need, St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us that love is our greatest mission.