Remembering Mother Teresa on her birthday: 5 important facts about the Nobel Prize winner

Mother Teresa who worked extensively for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden in India was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. The nun who turned missionary has left a legacy to follow for those who want to work for the betterment of society.

On her birthday today, know some of the important facts about the world-renowned social worker.

Belonged to a staunch Christian family

Born as Agnes Gonxhe Bojazhiu on August 26, 1910, Republic of Macedonia, her parents were staunch Catholics and also were highly involved in the local church. As a result little Agnes also grew up to be a loyal Catholic.

Saint who performed miracles

While very little is known about this there are a few who believed in Mother Teresa ardently and experienced some miracles that happened due to the presence of her saintly personality. One such example is that of Monica Besra who had gone to the missionaries of charity located in Bengal in 1998 for her regular prayers.

She was suffering from a cancerous stomach tumour. On September 5, while she was praying she experienced that a light was coming from Mother Teresa’s photo. She was accompanied by nuns who also prayed along with her. They placed a medallion that once had touched the body of Mother Teresa on the stomach of Monica and asked her to intervene.

The next morning her tumour was gone and even medical experts declared her cancer-free.

Mother Teresa‘s mother told her never to eat alone

Mrs. Bojaxhiu, the mother of Mother Teresa was a philanthropist and always used to help poor people. She told little Agnes never to eat alone and to always share her food with those around her. When father of Agnes died she became closer to her mother and imbibed from her the act of living selflessly.

When Agnes became Mother Teresa

When she turned 18 in 1928, Agnes decided to become a nun and joined the Sisters of Loreto located in Ireland’s Dublin city. Here she was given the name of Teresa in the name and honour of Saint Therese of Lisieux.

Change in role

In India Mother Teresa was based in Calcutta. Once in 1946 when she was going for a vacation in the Himalayas, on the train she heard Christ asking her to take up a new role, go back to Calcutta, and work for those who were poor and sick in the slums of the city. At that time Teresa used to work as a teacher.

She could not leave the convent as she had taken the oath of obedience. But after lobbying for a couple of years her request was finally granted and from then on she stepped out of the convent with her famous blue and white sari.