Apostle of the Poor

The Feast Day of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Champion of compassion, care and service to the poor, her feast day marks a legacy of enduring love.

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta's Feast Day

September 5

Where Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta Is Buried

Missionaries of Charity’s Mother House in Kolkata, India

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The Life of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

 

Saint Mother Teresa: A Life of Devotion

 

Saint Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, embraced a calling to serve the poorest of the poor. Leaving behind a life of privilege, she travelled to Calcutta, India, where her deep faith ignited a mission of love and mercy. Her heart beat with compassion, and she saw Christ in every suffering face, teaching us that a humble life can radiate God’s light.

  • Faith: Her unwavering trust in Jesus guided every step.
  • Service: She dedicated herself wholly to the destitute, offering comfort and care.
  • Simplicity: Living modestly, she showed that love needs not luxury.

 

A Mission of Love and Service

 

Her journey, full of sacrifice and joy even amid hardship, remains an inspiration for millions. Mother Teresa’s work taught us the beauty of small acts of kindness and the transformative power of sincere charity. Her legacy lives on in every heart that chooses to see and serve the least among us.

  • Inspiration: Her example continues to inspire acts of selfless love.
  • Legacy: Through the Missionaries of Charity, her spirit endures, nurturing hope and healing.
  • Call to Service: She believed that every face in the slum was Christ, leading her to serve selflessly.
  • Missionaries of Charity: In 1950, she founded this humble congregation dedicated to tending the sick, orphaned, and dying.
  • The Patronage of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

    1

    Patron of the Poor and the Needy

    Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta is widely revered as the patron of the poor and the needy. Her life was dedicated to serving those who often had no voice and no means. With a heart full of love and deep compassion, she devoted herself to caring for the sick, hungry, and abandoned. Her example calls each one of us to see Christ in every person, especially those in suffering, reminding us of the dignity of each human life.

    2

    Patron of the Dying and Hospice Care

    In her countless acts of kindness, Mother Teresa extended special care to those at the end of their earthly journey. She nurtured the terminally ill with gentle compassion in hospices and shelters, offering not only physical care but also spiritual comfort. As the patron of the dying, she inspires caregivers and health professionals to accompany those in their final moments with sensitivity, respect, and unconditional love.

    3

    Patron of Compassionate Service and Love

    The life of Saint Mother Teresa is a beacon of compassionate service and deep love. She established communities and centers that embraced the sick, the destitute, and the outcast. Through her humble service, she reminds us that every act of love, no matter how small, is a powerful testimony to the love of God in our midst. Her legacy encourages believers to serve selflessly and to live each day with a heart open to the needs of others.

    Ways to Honor Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

     

    Prayerful Reflection

     

    Set aside time on the feast day to engage in heartfelt prayer and quiet meditation. Reflect on the humble spirit of Saint Mother Teresa, letting her example inspire you to open your heart to God’s love. Devotion in your personal prayer can be a powerful tribute to her life.

     

    Service and Charity

     

    Dedicate the day to acts of kindness. Volunteer your time, offer food to the hungry, or simply share a smile with someone in need. Embracing the charitable spirit of Saint Mother Teresa at even the smallest level honors her legacy of compassion.

     

    Community Celebration

     

    Participate in your parish’s special Mass or community gathering to celebrate her feast day. Joining together with fellow believers to sing, pray, and remember her life strengthens the bonds of faith and continues her message of love and unity.

     

    Support Her Mission

     

    Contribute to charitable organizations that work for the poor and the marginalized. Whether through donations or volunteer work, your commitment reflects Saint Mother Teresa’s relentless pursuit of service, showing that her mission lives on in each act of generosity.

     

    Spread Her Legacy

     

    Share the story of Saint Mother Teresa with others. Use conversations, social media, or personal writings to highlight her journey of selflessness and to encourage others to embrace a life of humble service. This gentle ripple of inspiration can transform lives and communities.

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    Prayer to Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

     

    Prayer for Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

     

    O Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, humble servant of our Lord and the poor, we come before you on your feast day with hearts full of gratitude. We remember your life of selfless love and care, a shining beacon of Christ’s mercy in a world so often shadowed by despair. Help us, we pray, to follow your wondrous example of service, kindness, and devotion.

    O dear Mother Teresa, you who embraced the suffering and the marginalized, intercede for us in our time of need. Teach us to love without condition, to give freely of ourselves, and to find Christ in every poor and lonely face. As we journey through our daily trials, guide our steps on the path of humility and charity.

    We ask for your powerful intercession:

    • Assist us in serving those who are forgotten and abandoned.
    • Inspire us to love as you loved, with a heart overflowing in compassion.
    • Strengthen our resolve to walk in the footsteps of Christ by emulating your tender care.
    May our actions be a reflection of the infinite love and mercy of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

    O Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us so that we might grow in faith and spread the healing love of God throughout our communities. Through your intercession, let our lives become a living prayer, a testament to the beauty of Christ’s compassion.

    Amen.

    FAQs

    Explore Saint Mother Teresa legacy and her feast day, highlighting a life of compassion and inspiration.

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    When is Mother Teresa’s feast day celebrated?

    Feast of Mother Teresa

     

    Mother Teresa, whose life epitomized divine charity and humble service to the poorest of the poor, is honored with her feast day on September 5th. This sacred day commemorates her passing and serves as a timeless invitation for the faithful to emulate her boundless love and compassion in their daily lives.

     

    Why is she honored on September 5th?

    Mother Teresa’s Unending Charity

     

    Mother Teresa is honored on September 5th, the anniversary of her passing, as it marks the day when the world lost a shining example of selfless love and profound compassion. Her tireless service among the poorest of the poor exemplifies the Gospel in action, inspiring millions to live a life of charity, humility, and unwavering faith.

     

    • Eternal Love: Her compassionate outreach to those in suffering continues to ignite hope and renew faith worldwide.
    • Living Gospel: She embodied the teachings of Christ, urging all to serve others and find God in the face of the needy.
    • Inspiration to the Faithful: Celebrating her memory reminds us to pursue holiness and embody mercy in our daily lives.

     

    What miracles are attributed to Mother Teresa?

     Miracles Attributed to Mother Teresa 

     

    Miraculous Healings: Many faithful recount the compelling healing events linked to Mother Teresa’s intercession. Among the most notable is the inexplicable cure of a Bengali nun afflicted with a life‐threatening brain tumor—a recovery that defied all medical expectations and was later recognized by the Church as a divine sign.

    • Inexplicable Restoration: A nun’s severe illness reversed suddenly, inspiring deep faith and affirming divine compassion.
    • Renewed Hope: Other testimonies reflect instances of profound healing and renewed hope, credited to Mother Teresa’s powerful intercession in moments of desperate need.

    These miracles, rigorously examined and validated by the Holy See, underscore the extraordinary sanctity of Mother Teresa and continue to inspire countless souls to embrace the mercy and love of Christ.

     

    How do people celebrate her saint day around the world?

    Celebration Traditions

     

    Across diverse cultures, the faithful honor her saint day with deep reverence and joyful celebration. Communities gather in sacred Masses, processions, and prayer vigils, each act a heartfelt expression of devotion.

     

    Global Practices

     
    • Liturgical Services: Special Masses and liturgical celebrations that recount her virtues and heroic faith.
    • Cultural Processions: Vibrant parades and processions, where icons and relics are carried through streets, uniting communities in prayer.
    • Acts of Charity: Community outreach and service, inspired by her example of compassion and self-sacrifice.
     

    Reflection and Renewal

     

    Believers use this day to reflect on the saint’s life, drawing inspiration to deepen their own commitment to Christ. Her exemplariness calls each soul to a renewed journey of faith, humility, and love.

     
    Why do devotees pray for Mother Teresa’s intercession?

    Mother Teresa's Enduring Legacy

     

    Devotees pray for Mother Teresa’s intercession because her life epitomized the selfless love and compassion of Christ. Her humble service to the poorest of the poor and unwavering dedication to the Gospel inspire believers to seek her help in carrying their prayers to our Lord.

    • Embodiment of Mercy: Her life serves as a living testament to divine mercy and compassion.

    • Inspiration for Holiness: Many see her as a model of Christian charity and sanctity.

    • Powerful Intercession: Believers trust that her prayers bring their petitions closer to God’s heart.

     

    Discover Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta's Full Journey

    Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Biography, Miracles, and Wisdom

    Explore Mother Teresa's inspiring life, miraculous deeds, lasting legacy in the Catholic Faith, and sanctified journey celebrated on her special feast day.

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