In January of 1929, Mary Teresa arrived in Calcutta, India and began to teach in St. Mary’s School for girls.  In May of 1937, she made her final profession of vows and became, as she said, the “spouse of Jesus” for “all eternity.”  It was from that moment on that she was known as Mother Teresa.

In 1944, on the way to her annual retreat, Mother Teresa received an “inspiration” a “call within a call.”  In a profound way she experienced Jesus’ thirst for souls and heard the Lord calling her to “radiate His love for souls.”  Over the next few weeks and months, through interior visions and locutions, Jesus revealed to her his pain at the neglect of the poor and their ignorance of him.  Our Lord begged her to “Come be my light” to “radiate His love on souls.”  Jesus then requested that she begin a religious community, the Missionaries of Charity, whose primary service would be to the poorest of the poor.  After two years of discernment, Mother Teresa was finally given permission to begin and in 1948 donned the white, blue-bordered sari that would become her habit for the rest of her life.

Her work with the poor in the slums of Calcutta began almost immediately. Each day she found ways to serve Our Lord in the destitute and dying, beginning always with communion with the Jesus through the Eucharist.  As her community and work grew, the world began to take notice of Mother Teresa and in 1979 she was presented the Nobel Peace prize that she received “for the glory of God and in the name of the poor.”  At all times her immense love for all people and the joy of giving was contagious.  People of all faiths and stations of life came to help her, called upon her wisdom and attempted to emulate her selflessness.

In September of 1997, Mother Teresa’s earthly life came to an end.  She left behind over 4,000 members in 123 different countries.  However, probably the most heroic and impressive aspect of her life was revealed only after death. It was learned that throughout the whole of her life with the poor, she had experienced a profound darkness in her spiritual life.  She had an aching sense of the absence of God and at times even felt rejected by Him.  In addition, she felt an increased longing for his love and presence.  Through this experience she was able to participate mystically in Jesus’ thirst for souls and felt the desolation of the poor.

The incredible woman the world recognizes and loves was beatified October 19, 2003.  Her life of love and service lives on in the poor she served and the communities she led.  Her life is best summed up in her own words: “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.