Mother Teresa, recognized as St. Teresa of Calcutta after her canonization in 2016, passed away on September 5, 1997, at the age of 87. On the day of her passing, she penned her final letter to the Missionaries of Charity, the religious community she had founded. This poignant message is now included in the Office of Readings and is reflected upon annually during the liturgy of the hours on September 5. In her letter, Mother Teresa offered a glimpse into her spiritual life, providing encouragement to her community as she approached her final moments and expressing her optimism for the future.
In the letter, Mother Teresa encapsulated the essence of her life’s work by drawing parallels with the Virgin Mary, as noted by Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, O.P., a Dominican friar based in Washington, D.C. He remarked on the natural connection between the saint’s role as a nurturing mother to many and her honoring of the mother of Christ. Mother Teresa addressed her beloved community as “her dearest children” and implored them to commit fully to Jesus through Mary. In Catholic doctrine, Mary holds a vital place, recognized as the mother of Jesus and revered for her unique relationship with Him. Fr. Jeffrey Kirby of the Diocese of Charleston commented that Mary was unmatched in her love and service to Jesus, a sentiment that Mother Teresa echoed by urging others to emulate Mary’s unwavering faith, altruism, and joy.
Mother Teresa articulated her desire for her followers in straightforward terms: “all Mother wants for you, all Mother wants from you.” This call to action illuminated the guiding principle of her vocation—if one were entirely devoted to Jesus through Mary, they would embody the spirit of a true Missionary of Charity. In her reflections, she expressed gratitude for the years spent in service since the inception of her order, emphasizing that their devotion should revolve around loving Jesus in prayer, in their community, and in serving the poorest individuals.
She poignantly reflected on her journey and the early inspirations behind founding the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa acknowledged that their lives should be driven by gratitude, which must manifest in a resolute commitment to alleviate the suffering of Jesus, which she framed as a “Thirst for Jesus.” Her heartfelt instructions were to embody this through acts of genuine love and charity toward fellow humans, particularly the marginalized and destitute. However, her health deteriorated swiftly, and she passed away before she could sign the letter. Sister Nirmala Joshi, who succeeded her as the superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, noted this poignant detail, stating that Jesus took their beloved Mother unexpectedly before she put her signature on the final words of love and guidance.
Born Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje, North Macedonia, on August 26, 1910, Mother Teresa was of Albanian lineage. Her sense of calling to a religious life emerged in her youth, prompting her to leave home at the age of 18 in September 1928 to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland. Once there, she adopted the religious name “Sister Mary Teresa,” drawing inspiration from St. Thérèse of Lisieux. A year later, she traveled to India, a country that would become her life’s mission and her adopted home.
In May 1931, she made her first profession of vows within the Sisters of Loreto, finding her place in their Calcutta community. By 1937, she took her final vows and was officially known as Mother Teresa. Tracing her journey further, in 1948, she decided to leave the Sisters of Loreto to establish the Missionaries of Charity, an order dedicated to serving the least fortunate. Clad in her first white, blue-bordered sari, she stepped into a new phase of her life devoted to the poor. On December 21 of that same year, she embarked on her mission, visiting slums, aiding families, attending to the sick, and caring for those afflicted with hunger and disease.
In 1950, her order officially received approval to function within the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Through her vision, the Missionaries of Charity became known for their unwavering commitment to serving the poorest of the poor, regardless of social class, creed, or ethnicity. Today, the order boasts over 5,000 members worldwide, embodying the ethos of showing God’s concern for the marginalized. Their mission remains to provide immediate assistance while working to connect individuals in need to more sustainable support systems, thus continuing Mother Teresa’s legacy of selfless service and boundless compassion.