St Teresa

Please see below to learn more about Our Patron, St Teresa of Calcutta.

St Teresa of Calcutta, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje (then part of the Ottoman Empire, now North Macedonia), is celebrated worldwide for her unwavering dedication to serving the poorest of the poor. From a young age, she felt a strong calling to live a life devoted to God and others. At the age of 18, she left her family and home to join the Sisters of Loreto, a Roman Catholic religious congregation, and was sent to India.

Drawn by Sidney-age 11

In India, she began her ministry as a teacher at St Mary’s School for girls in Calcutta. There, she taught geography and catechism and served as the school’s headmistress. However, her heart was deeply moved by the suffering and poverty she witnessed in the streets of Calcutta. In 1946, during a train journey to the Loreto convent in Darjeeling, she experienced what she later described as a “call within a call.” She felt Christ compelling her to leave the comforts of the convent to live among and serve the destitute.

In 1948, St Teresa left the Loreto order and began her work in the slums of Calcutta, teaching poor children, caring for the sick, and comforting the dying. Dressed in a simple white sari with a blue border, she symbolised humility, compassion, and solidarity with the poorest in society. She became known as “Mother Teresa” and officially founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. The congregation’s mission was simple yet profound.

Under her leadership, the Missionaries of Charity grew from a small group of a dozen nuns to a global organisation with thousands of members, running orphanages, hospices, schools, and homes for those in need in over 100 countries. Despite her tireless work, Mother Teresa often spoke of the importance of seeing Christ in everyone she served. Her life embodied our Trust’s mission-make Christ known, making lives better for those we serve.

Her unwavering faith and commitment to the dignity of every human life earned her numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She accepted the award not for herself but for “the glory of God and in the name of the poor.” Despite her global fame, she remained humble, continuing to live a simple life and work tirelessly until her health began to fail.

St Teresa passed away on 5th September 1997, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service and love for humanity. She was canonised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by Pope Francis in 2016. Her life reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can transform lives and bring God’s love to others.

At STOC, we strive to follow her example by serving our communities with compassion, humility, and faith. Inspired by her life and teachings, we are committed to make Christ known, making lives better for the communities we serve.