“The worst disease of mankind is not leprosy but the lack of care for the poor and the sick” － Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Born in 1910 at the country of Albania, Eastern Europe, little Agnes had always wanted to become a religious nun. At the age of eighteen (18) years old, she joined the Sisters of Loreto and took the name of Sister Teresa after St. Teresa Avila. From Albania, she was assigned by her congregation to the Far East in Calcutta, Indian, as religious nun-teacher. While riding a train in 1946 she had a vision within vision calling her to do charity for the poor, orphans, the sick especially lepers, beggars, and the dying in the streets of Calcutta. She saw Lord Jesus in each of them. In 1950, she established the congregation of Missionary Sisters of Charity for the purpose of continuing her missionary work and charitable goals for these unfortunate. She also established mission and charitable houses to provide shelter, food, medical care for them. As Sister aged, she was Called Mother Teresa, and also because of her role as if a mother to all the indigent and sick people. Together with her sisters of charity, Mother Teresa roamed the streets of Calcutta and provided care for the destitute, and brought the sick and dying to their charitable houses. There was even an account, that the sisters of charity had to pick or remove worms from the festering wounds of the sick and dying.
Mother Teresa was considered a “Living Saint” during her lifetime. Even the Popes in succession of the Catholic Church; Heads of different religious denominations; Kings, Queens, Presidents, and Prime Ministers of various countries paid tribute and honored the Living Saint. In 1979, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Mother Teresa, and the prize money she gave to her charity houses. Meantime, the congregation of the Sisters of Charity, and their charity houses have multiplied in at least, one hundred (100) countries of the world, including the Philippines, also in one poor place, Tondo, Manila.
Mother Teresa is a special human being who acted like a big charitable organization for the most unfortunate and destitute especially the beggars, lepers and the dying. The familiar scene of Mother Teresa cradling the lepers and dying like Mama Mary to lifeless Jesus from the Cross “La Pieta” our Lady of Sorrows (Sept. 15, Feastday) while St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Sept. 5, Feastday). She was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.
Although charitable organizations abound, most of them specialize only in one sector, like orphans, the old, the disabled, and abused women. But Mother Teresa went down to the most unwanted and pitiful members of the society which she found lying down in the streets that the world never cared about. Mother Teresa’s “Big Heart” made a difference in a heartless and selfish world.
Although there are many saints of the Catholic Church, most of them are venerated for their piety, unwavering faith, and martyrdom to the faith. Mother Teresa had also deep faith in God which faith she converted into action by helping, caring, and saving the afflicted. Hers are not only thoughts and words but action to care and share. Next to Mama Mary, Mother Teresa was like the “Mother of the Poor, the Sick, and Dying”. No other woman in History of the world and of church has done what she did. Thanks be to God for sending St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta to the world, and thank you, dear Saint for caring and comforting the least of us…
*Former Palawan State Scholar
