History of 5th September – Mother Teresa
Explore the history of 5th September, from the crowning of King Philip of Zwabia in 1198 to the ceremonial funeral of the Earl of Mountbatten in 1979. Dive into the remarkable life of Mother Teresa, her early calling, work in the slums, and enduring legacy as a canonized saint on the occasion of her death anniversary.
History of 5th September takes us to the year 1198 when on this day Philips of Zwabia, Prince of Hohenstaufen was crowned the King of Germany and King of the Romans.
Moving on with the history of 5th September we come to the year 1979 when Earl of Mountbatten‘s Ceremonial Funeral was held in Westminster Abbey.
With this we come to the feature story from the history of 5th September where we remember Mother Teresa on the occasion of her death anniversary.
Remembering Mother Teresa: A Life of Compassion and Dedication
On September 5, we commemorate the death anniversary of a remarkable woman whose unwavering commitment to serving the poorest of the poor left an indelible mark on the world. Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 27, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia (then part of the Ottoman Empire, now in the Republic of North Macedonia), dedicated her life to the destitute of India and beyond. She was canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta on September 4, 2016, and her feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of her death.
Early Life and Calling
The journey of Saint Teresa of Calcutta began when she left her homeland in 1928 to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland. Just six weeks later, she arrived in India as a teacher, where she spent 17 years at the order’s school in Calcutta (now Kolkata). However, it was in 1946 that she experienced what she referred to as her “call within a call,” a divine inspiration urging her to devote herself to caring for the sick and poor.
Diving into the Slums
Responding to her inner calling, Mother Teresa ventured into the squalid slums of Calcutta. She petitioned municipal authorities for a pilgrim hostel near the sacred temple of Kali, which became the foundation for her Order of the Missionaries of Charity, established in 1948. Compassionate souls quickly joined her mission, and under her leadership, they established dispensaries and outdoor schools.
Adopting Indian Citizenship
In a profound gesture of dedication, Mother Teresa adopted Indian citizenship, and her nuns embraced the sari as their habit. In 1950, her order received canonical sanction from Pope Pius XII, and it became a pontifical congregation in 1965, making it directly subject to the pope.
A Haven for the Dying
One of Mother Teresa’s most iconic contributions was the establishment of Nirmal Hriday, meaning “Place for the Pure of Heart,” in 1952. This hospice provided a dignified place for the terminally ill to spend their final moments. Her order also opened numerous centers to serve the blind, the aged, and the disabled, reflecting her unwavering commitment to the marginalized and suffering.
Building Shanti Nagar
The Missionaries of Charity, under Mother Teresa’s guidance, established a leper colony known as Shanti Nagar, meaning “Town of Peace,” near Asansol, India. This initiative further exemplified her dedication to those society had cast aside.
Recognition and Awards
In 1962, the Indian government honored Mother Teresa with the Padma Shri, one of its highest civilian honors, for her exceptional services to the people of India. Pope Paul VI also showed his admiration by gifting her his ceremonial limousine, which she selflessly raffled to support her leper colony.
In 1971, Pope Paul further acknowledged her apostolate by awarding her the first Pope John XXIII Peace Prize. Her humanitarian work was globally recognized in 1979 when she received the Nobel Peace Prize. The Indian government conferred upon her the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in the following year.
Challenges and Spiritual Journey
Despite her cheerful demeanor and deep commitment to God in her daily work, Mother Teresa faced her own personal challenges. Her letters, collected and published in 2007, revealed that for nearly half a century, she did not feel the presence of God in her soul. She experienced a profound spiritual darkness, believing that Jesus had abandoned her, much like the moment when Christ uttered, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” on the cross.
However, Mother Teresa integrated this feeling of absence into her daily religious life. She continued to commit herself to her faith and her work for Christ, embracing the belief that she was sharing in Christ’s Passion, despite her own inner turmoil.
Legacy and Canonization
At the time of her death, Mother Teresa’s Order of the Missionaries of Charity operated hundreds of centers in more than 90 countries, with thousands of nuns and countless lay workers. Within two years of her passing, the process to declare her a saint was initiated, and she was beatified on October 19, 2003. Her canonization took place on September 4, 2016, under Pope Francis I.
Mother Teresa’s legacy endures through the continued work of the Missionaries of Charity and the inspiration she provides to individuals worldwide. Her life serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact that one person’s compassion and dedication can have on the lives of the marginalized and suffering, and her canonization is a testament to her enduring influence on the world.
On this day, as we remember the life and work of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, let us be inspired by her unwavering commitment to serving those in need and strive to make the world a better place through acts of love, compassion, and selflessness.
That’s all from the history of 5th September.
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