Mother Teresa, who was later canonized as St. Teresa of Calcutta in 2016, passed away on Sept. 5, 1997, at the age of 87. Her final letter to the Missionaries of Charity, the religious community she founded, was written on the morning of her death. This letter is now part of the Office of Readings and is reflected upon during the liturgy of the hours for Sept. 5. In her letter, Mother Teresa provided insight into her spiritual life in her final moments and expressed her anticipation for the future. She summarized much of her life’s work by looking at it through the lens of the Virgin Mary.
Addressed to her community as “her dearest children,” Mother Teresa encouraged them to be devoted solely to Jesus through Mary. In Catholicism, Mary is venerated as she is the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa believed that by focusing all their love and service on Jesus through Mary, they would be true missionaries of charity. By calling on her community to imitate Mary’s faith, selfless service, love, and cheerfulness, Mother Teresa emphasized the importance of following in the footsteps of the mother of Christ.
As Mother Teresa reflected on the nearing anniversary of her inspiration to establish the Missionaries of Charity, she expressed gratitude for all that had been accomplished. She encouraged her community to continue serving Jesus in prayer, through love for their Sisters and the poorest of the poor, emphasizing the importance of real charity as a way to quench the Thirst of Jesus. Unfortunately, Mother Teresa passed away before she could sign the letter, and her successor, Sister Nirmala Joshi, shared the final message with the Missionaries of Charity.
Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, felt called to religious life during her adolescence and entered the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland at the age of 18. After being sent to India with the Sisters of Loreto, she professed her final vows in 1931 and became known as Mother Teresa. In 1948, she left the Sisters of Loreto to establish the Missionaries of Charity, an order dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa’s work began in the slums of Calcutta, where she provided care and assistance to those in need, and her order was officially approved in 1950.
The Missionaries of Charity, with more than 5,000 members worldwide, remain committed to serving the poorest and most vulnerable individuals, regardless of social class, creed, or color. Their focus is to show God’s concern for those in need by offering immediate and effective service until they can find additional assistance. Mother Teresa’s legacy lives on through the work of the Missionaries of Charity, who continue to follow her example of love, compassion, and service to the marginalized in society. Her dedication to the poorest of the poor and her unwavering faith and commitment to serving Jesus through Mary are fundamental principles that guide the mission of the Missionaries of Charity today.
