Monday, November 29, 2010

Response Questions

1. How did I experience the book?

  I feel that the book had many good lessons to teach, and it was interesting.

2.Was I happy about the book choice?

Yes. Because it was about a person who did great things with the gifts God gave her.

3.Which place in the book did I find most intriguing? Why?

I liked the part of the book when Mother Teresa visited the United States and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom because she was in my country.

4. What themes was the author exploring?

The book was about the life of Mother Teresa so it deals with love, peace, social justice, goodness, and giving back to the world community. It also explores the importance of doing the best we can with the gifts we have each been given to glorify God.

5. What did I learn from this project?

I learned about the life of Mother Teresa and the good she perpetuated around the world through her many missions. I also enhanced my technology skills to present the ideas conveyed in this project.

6. What was the most enjoyable part of the project?

I enjoyed reading the book. I enjoy reading.

7. What was the most difficult part of the project?

The most difficult part of the project was the technology involved. Uploading videos and maps presented a challenge.

Geography Blog on Mother Teresa

This blog was created by Jacob Hall
Geography
Dr. Allen
Nov 29, 2010

MLA Citations

The source of all diary entries was from the book by Spink, Kathryn. Mother Teresa San Francisco: Harper Collins

Videos were provided by You Tube from the world wide web

Music was provided by You Tube from the world wide web

Pictures were derived from Google Images on the world wide web

Maps were acquired from Google Maps on the world wide web

1. (Spink p 3)

2. (Spink p.4)

3. (Spink p. 6)

4. (Spink p. 7)

5. (Spink p. 7)

6 (Spink p. 7)

7. (Spink p. 8)

8. (Spink p, 8)

9. (Spink p. 9)

10. (Spink p. 143)

11. (Spink p. 12)

12. (Spink  p 13)

13. (Spink p. 96)

14. (Spink p. 12)

15. (Spink p. 141)

16. (Spink p. 17)

17. (Spink p. 17)

18. (Spink p 17)

19 (Spink p. 19)

20. (Spink p. 20)

21. (Spink p. 22)

22. (Spink p. 36)

23. (Spink p. 33)

24. (Spink p. 38)

25. (Spink p, 42)

26. (Spink p. 50)

27. (Spink p 44)

28. (Spink p 52)

29. (Spink p 70-71)

30. (Spink p 46)

31. (Spink p. 74-75)

32. (Spink p 54)

33. (Spink p, 132)

34. (Spink p 58)

35. (Spink p 59)

36. (Spink p. 62)

37 (Spink p 203)

38. (Spink p 203)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Death & Legacy

During the mid 1990s, Mother Teresa's health became worse. On March 13, 1997, six months before her death Mother Teresa stepped down as head of the Missionaries of Charity. She appointed Sister Nirnala as her successor. Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997, of a massive heart attack while in Calcutta, India. She was 87 years old. She left behind a legacy of service and love unmatched by anyone in the 20th century, she was beatified on October 19, 2003. It is thought by many that she will someday be proclaimed a saint.



"Today 1 am going to propose something to you. You have been longing to be a missionary. Why not become spiritually bound to our society which you love so dearly? While we work in the slums you share in the merit, the prayers and the work, with your suffering and prayers. The work here is tremendous and needs workers, it is true, hut 1 need souls like yours to pray and suffer for the work you’ll he in body in Belgium hut in soul in India where there are souls longing for our Lord, hut for want of someone to pay the debt for them, they cannot move towards him. You’ll he a true Missionary of Charity if you pay the debt while the Sisters your Sisters help them to come to God in body.
1 need many people who suffer who would join us as 1 want to have (i) a glorious society in heaven,
(2) the suffering society on earth the spiritual children, and (1) the militant society, the Sisters on the battlefield. You can be in body in your country but a missionary in India, in the world. You must he happy, as you are chosen by the Lord who loves you so much that he gives you a part in his suffering. Be brave and cheerful and offer much that we may bring many souls to God. Once you come in touch with souls, the thirst grows daily."

Staying Active

Despite poor health in the mid 1990's, Mother Teresa continued to be active, speaking at the 1994 National Prayer Breakfast and working with Hillarly Clinton to establish a children's home in Washington DC. She also spoke to nearly 1,300 people in 1995 at Sacred Heart Church in Atlanta.

Mother Teresa is Hospitalized

After her second heart attack, Mother Teresa wished to step down as Superior of the Missionaries of Charity. Despite this, she was relected in 1990 and held the post for seven more years. Her health continued to worsen and in 1992 she was admitted to the hospital in La Jolla California for the treatment of congestive heart failure and pneumonia.

Mother Teresa Wins The Presidential Medal Of Freedom

In 1985, Mother Teresa received her last major award. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by United States President Ronald Reagan, who described Mother Teresa as; "a heroine of our times". Despite the fact that this award was traditionally given to US citizens, President Reagon explained that; "the goodness in some hearts transcends all national boundaries".

Failing Health

In the early 1980s, Mother Teresa's health began to fail. She had her first heart attack in 1983, followed by a second one in 1989. After her second heart attack in 1989, she was fitted with a pacemaker, which greatly extended the quality and quantity of her life.

The Power Of Trusting In God

In 1982,  Mother Teresa was asked by the Holy Father to travel to Beirut, an area which at this time was desolate from war and destruction. Mother Teresa felt the need to save the people of this war torn area, especially the suffering children. When she arrived she carried with her an Easter candle with the image of the Madonna and Child on it. At 4 PM, during the height of the bombing and shelling, Mother Teresa lit the candle, at 5 PM everything became quiet. This exemplifies Mother Teresa's great trust in God, and his love for her and all of creation.

Click HERE to see a map of Beirut.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Mother Teresa Wins The Nobel Peace Prize

In 1979, Mother Teresa was chosen as the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her work with the suffering and dying. She choose to give all of the financial reward to the poor, even cancelling her celebration banquet. Mother Teresa wished that the $3000 set aside for the banquet would be used for those who really were in need of a meal. She wrote:




"I want to make it very clear I do not want our Co— Workers to he involved in fund raising. It was necessary before for us to have Flag Days, Leper Days, Children ‘s Days and all this. We had to do all this because nobody knew we existed hut now the work has involved so many people that we just get even in India where we never used to get anything before we used to feed about 20,000 rupees after working hours and hours those who were in Calcutta they know how hard they had to work now without even asking, without any difficulties we get quite a lot of money and help for the lepers Let us avoid publicity under that fund raising name because it has become like a target with other o1ganizations and people are beginning to doubt, and so let us not give them a chance." 

Click HERE to see a video about Mother Teresa


The Work Of The Brothers

In 1971, Mother Teresa received the Pope Paul XXII Award. The  $25,000 reward money was used to help those with leprosy by building a leper colony. Throughout the early 1970's, sister foundations of the Missionaries of Charity were formed in England, the United States, Jordan, Bangladesh, Israel, Mauritius,Yemen, and Peru. It was also during this time that Brothers of The Missionaries of Charity went to serve the people of Saigon, providing shelter and food for the homeless. The brothers continued to work in Saigon until 1975 when communists took over the houses, forcing the brothers to eave the area.

Mother Teresa wrote: "This year has been heartbreaking We lost five houses in Vietnam and Cambodia. The buildings don't matter. But to be separated so finally from all the people one came to know and love is unbelievably painful. I shall never be the same after this, and I know I shall have an ache in my heart for them until the day I die."

Click HERE to see the places that the Missionaries of Charity Brothers served.

Worldwide Growth of The Missionaries of Charity

As the 1960s continued, Mother Teresa received more and more requests to open houses, in areas  throughout the world including Tanzania, Austria, and Melbourne Australia;. The Holy Father himself made a personal request for the Missionaries of Charity to work among the poor of Rome.

Click HERE to see the locations of the new houses.



"Our Sisters are working around the world and I have seen all the trouble, all the misery, all the suffering. From where did it come? It has come from lack of love and lack of prayer. There is no more of that coming together in the family, praying together, coming together, staying together."

Expanding the Missionaries of Charity Outside India

1965 was an important turning point for the Missionaries of Charity. In that year, the church asked Mother Teresa to organize missions outside of India. In July of 1965, Mother Teresa left  for Venezuela with  five other sisters to start the new mission.

"Leaving Belfast was a very big sacrifice hut very fruitful for our Sisters are now going to Ethiopia to feed the hungry Christ. The same Sisters who so lovingly served him in Belfast will now he giving his love and compassion to the suffering people of Ethiopia pray for them and
share with then, the joy of loving and serving."


Click HERE to listen  to Venezuelan Music

Pope Paul VI Comes to the Rescue

In 1964, Pope Paul VI visited Bombay where he visited Mother Teresa, and upon his departure left her his Lincoln Continental to aid her in his work. Pope Paul VI came to the aid of the Missionaries of Charity on other occasions as well, giving the sister the means to buy 4000 mattresses for the poor, and giving a handsome Christmas donation allowing meals and presents to 5000 children and leprosy patients.

Click HERE to see a map of Bombay.

The Missionaries of Charity Brothers Are Founded

By the 1960s the Missionaries of Charity were becoming recognized around the world. In 1962 the Indian government awarded Mother Theresa the Padma Shri award for her work with the poor. In 1963 the Missionaries of Charity Brothers were founded by Mother Teresa to serve in the same way the sisters had, serving the poorest of the poor. Today the congregation includes 400 brothers throughout the world.

"We the Missionaries of Charity, how grateful we must he you to suffer and we to work. We finish in each other what is wanting in Christ. What a beautiful vocation is ours to be the carriers of Christ‘s love in the slums
—your life of sacrifice is the chalice or rather our vows are the chalice and your sufferings and our work are the wine
the spotless host. We stand together holding the same chalice and so with the adoring angels satiate his burning thirst for souls.
My very dear children let its love Jesus with our whole heart and soul. Let us bring him many souls. Keep smiling. Smile at Jesus in your suffering —for to be a real Missionary of Charity you must be a cheerful victim. There is nothing special for you to do but to allow Jesus to live his life in you by accepting whatever he gives and giving whatever he takes with a big smile."

The Missionaries of Charity Expand

By the end of the decade, the sisters felt the need expand outside the boundaries of the Diocese of Calcutta, however Canon Law forbid the opening of new houses outside the diocese if the order was less then ten years old. So eager were the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, that the archbishop gave in, and made an exception to the rule. In 1959, the order opened a house in Delhi, and were received with great enthusiasm. Even the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nerhu attended the inaugural ceremony of the opening of the children's home. 21



"The Sisters go out at night to work, to pick up people on the streets. They saw a young man there, late at night lying in the street and they said, “You should not he here, you should be with your parents”, and he said, “When I go home my mother does not want me because I have long hair. Every time I went home she pushed me out.” By the time the Sisters came back he had overdosed himself and they had to take him to hospital. I could not help thinking it was quite possible that his mother was busy with the hunger of our people in India. Yet there was her own child hungry for her, hungry for love, hungry for her cal-c and she refused it. Bring love into your home. If you really love God begin by loving your child, your husband, your wife. The old people, where are they? They are in some institution. Why are they not with you? Where is the crippled child? in some institution. Why is that child not with you? That child, young mothers and fathers, is a gift of God."  22

The First Mobile Leprosy Clinic Opens

In 1957, Mother Teresa's Mobile Leprosy Clinic opened in a van donated by Dr. Sen, a Hindu 
specialist in leprosy treatment at Carmichael Hospital. Dr Sen dedicated the rest of his life to 
Mother Teresa and the lepers in need. The mobile clinic was officially opened by Archbishop 
Perier at Shishu Bhavan on lower circular road. 23


"Here in Howrah, 1 saw an experiment in mercy a miracle it would have been called in a less cynical age. Into the clearing drove an ambulance and in minutes people crowded about its open doors. And no ordinary people these. Beyond the lines of abysmal poverty and undernourishme7fl etched upon their faces, below the tell-tale marks of frustration and harsh treatment, were the scars of a deeper distress leprosy" 24

Listen to Indian Music HERE

Mother Teresa Opens an Orphanage

In 1953, Mother Teresa opened an orphanage to care for children in need. She took an even greater step in 1955 when she opened,''Nirmala Shishu Bhavan" also know as the Children's Home of the Immaculate Heart. The purpose was to provide a haven for the lost children and homeless youth of Calcutta. The home was opened for children who simply had no place to go. Nearly all were suffering from acute malnutrition and/or tuberculosis. These children were crying out for love. 34

Mother Teresa's approach to caring for the sick was a practical one. Whenever possible, the sick were to be restored to health and those capable of learning were to be given some form of education or training to equip them to be productive in the future. 35


Mother Teresa felt very strongly that all human life from conception to natural death should be protected. She set about combating abortion with adoption and sent word to clinics, hospitals, and police stations. She said: "Please do not destroy the child. We will take the child" 36





"It is becoming nearly impossible to fulfil all the wishes about reports etc as we did in the beginning when we only had a few children. Second reason is that the number of our children is much higher than five thousand since we have opened houses in sixty—one cities. Therefore we have decided to have a General Child Welfure Fund from which we can help all the children that we know need your help." 



Click HERE
To see the map of location of the Children's Home of the Immaculate Heart

Click HERE  for Indian music

Opening the Nirmal Hriday Home in Calcutta

In 1952, as the Missionaries of Charity continued to grow, Mother Teresa took on another great endeavor. Realizing that many of the poor, and sick were being turned away at hospitals, and dying a painful tragic death, Mother Teresa opened the Nirmal Hriday home for the dying. Here, those who were turned away could die with dignity. 32

"Today, the poor are hungry for bread and rice and for love and the living word of God.
The poor are thirsty —for water and for peace, truth and justice. The poor are homeless
for a shelter made of bricks, and for a joyful heart that understands, covers, loves.
The poor are naked —for clothes, for human dignity and compassion for the naked sinner.
They are sick
for medical care, and for that gentle tie touch and a warm smile." 33

Click HERE to see the map of the location of the Nirmal Hriday Home in Calcutta

Click HERE to watch a video about Mother Teresa

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Life as A Missionary of Charity

A typical day for Mother Teresa and her order began at 4:40am to the call of Bendicamus Domino and the response of Deo Gratias. In the early days of the orders existence Mother Teresa often begged, to provide for the needs of the order. The sisters often went without, giving what they had to the poor. 30

Mother Teresa felt and understood the necessity of spending silent time with God. She wrote:

"We need silence to he alone with God, to speak to him, to listen to him,
to ponder his words deep in our hearts.
We need to he alone with God in silence to the renewed and transformed. Silence gives us a new outlook on life. In it we are filled with the energy-y of God himself that makes us do all things with joy.
Silence of’ the eyes by seeking always the beauty and goodness of God everywhere and closing them to the faults of others and to all that is sinful and disturbing to the soul. Silence of the eon’, by listening always to the voice of God and the cry of the poor and the needy, and closing them to all the other voices that come from the evil one or from fallen human nature, e.g. gossip, tale—bearing, uncharitable words.
Silence of the tongue, by praising God and speaking the lf-giving Word of God that is Truth that enlightens and inspires, brings peace, hope and joy, and refraining from self—defense and every word that causes darkness, turmoil, pain and death.
Silence of the mind by opening it to the Truth and know/edge of God in prayer and contemplation, like Mary who pondered the marvels of the Lord in her heart, and closing it to all untruths, distractions, destructive thoughts like rash judgment, false suspicion of others, revengeful thoughts and desires.
Silence of the heart, by loving God with our whole heart, soul, uniul and strength and one another as God loves, desiring God alone and avoiding a/I selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy and greed." 31

The Early Days Of The Missionaries Of Charity

The order began humbly with thirteen members, and few resources. Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity relied on the generosity of others, with Teresa often having to beg for food and money. The house where the sisters lived, was generously donated by a Dr. Islam who stated that; " I received that house from God, and I give it back to him" 27

The Missionaries of Charity ministered to the poorest of the poor often going without the necessities of life. They would take in everybody especially those rejected by the local hospitals and shelters which were at that time extremely overcrowded. Soon the sisters had help from doctors, nurses, and lay people who gave their time and resources voluntarily. 28



"Each time Jesus wanted to prove his love for us, he was rejected by mankind. Before his birth his parents asked for a simple dwelling place and there was none because his parents were poor. The innkeeper looked at the poor dress of Joseph the carp enter, thinking that he will not he able to pay, and he was refused. But Mother Earth opened its cave and took in the Son of God.
Again, before the Redemption and the Resurrection, he was rejected by his people. They did not want him; they wanted Caesar. They did not want him; they wanted Barabas. At the end, as if his own Father did not him also because he was covered with our Sins
in his loneliness he cried, ‘My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?’
The yesterday is always today with God, therefore today in the world Jesus stands covered with our sins, in the distressing disguise of my Sister, my Brother. Do I want him? If we are not careful the riches of the worldly spirit will become an obstacle. I’Ve will not be able to see God Jbr Jesus has said “Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God.” 29

Mother Teresa Receives Permission From The Vatican

After a long wait, the Vatican gave permission to Mother Teresa on October 7,1950 to start a congregation to serve the "poorest of the poor". The congregation which became known as the Missionaries of Charity served; " all those who felt unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to society and are shunned by everyone". On the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, eleven women who had joined Mother Teresa began their postulancies as Missionaries of Charity. Much joy was derived from small things within the context of poverty. 25

At Christmas, Mother Teresa stayed up preparing gifts for her sisters. The gifts they received were placed at each sister's dinner place. The gifts were decorated and said:

"Happy Christmas to dear Sister... from Mother", Inside was our mail and Mother's presents to us. We all got the same except for the pencils. I got a cake of Sunlight soap, a clothes peg, a red and blue pencil, a St. Christopher and the Miraculous Medal identity card, a leaflet with beautiful words, sweets and a balloon... We were thrilled with our giftsas there is nothing else we could possibly want. 26

Working Towards Her Goal

In 1948, Mother Teresa begin to work towards her goal of serving the poor and suffering. She started out by obtaining Indian citizenship as well as some basic training. After receiving permission from the church, she began her mission in 1949 with several other like minded women, who resolved to serve the "poorest of the poor". Mother Teresa was determined that she and the other women would eat, dress, and live like the poorest of the poor, whom they would tend, feed and clothe as the suffering Christ. Mother Teresa was however obliged the modify her regime somewhat by her superiors who pointed out that it was impossible to work efficiently for long periods, without adequate sustenance. In obedience she agreed she would eat no more, but also no less than necessary to fulfill her mission. 23 Life was difficult, but Mother Teresa persevered.

She wrote to a local patron "Mr. Gomes, I have nothing to eat.  Please give me something to eat. She also felt the pangs of loneliness: "Today my God, what tortures of loneliness." She placed her trust in Divine Providence however and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She prayed "I have no children as once you told your beloved Son, "They have no wime"24

Listen to Indian music HERE

The Call Within A Call

While Mother Teresa felt satisfaction from doing God's work at the school, she felt a call to serve in a greater way. Mother Teresa saw the suffering and misery of the people during the Bengal famine of 1943, which led her to receive the; "Call within a Call" to serve the poor. Teresa felt that failing to do so would be "to break the faith". 21 She was required to receive permission from her superior and from Rome, however. This took time, but eventually she was granted permission to start her new order. She wrote:

"I saw a woman dying on the street outside Campbell Hospital. I picked her up and took her to the hospital but she was refused admission because she was poor. She died on the street. I knew then that I must make a home for the dying, a resting place for people going to heaven" 22

Mother Teresa Takes Her First Vows

Agnes who had taken the name "Teresa" took her first vows on May 24, 1931. She served as a teacher at the Loreto convent for many years. In 1937, she took her Solemn vows, and committed herself to her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for life.16 In doing so, Agnes became "Mother Teresa". Mother Teresa explained the reaction of one of the slum children whom she served.

" He asked whether I would be coming back to them, because he had heard that I was going to become "Mother" He began to cry, and through his tears, he said, "Oh don't become Mother!" I held him to me and asked him, "What is the matter? Do not worry, I will be back, I will always be your Ma." 17

In 1944 she was appointed head mistress of the school. Every Sunday she went to visit the poor in the slum areas of Calcutta. 18 She was reminded of her mission by her mother who wrote;

"Dear Child, Do not forget that you went to India for the sake of the poor. 19 Do you remember our File? She was covered in sores, but what caused her far more suffering was the knowledge that she was all alone in the world. We did what we could for her but the worst thing was not the sores but the fact that her family had forgotten her."20

Mother Teresa Goes to Loreto Abbey


Agnes spent six weeks at that Loreto Abby in Rathfarnham, in Dublin, Ireland where she concentrated on learning English.  In 1929 she went to India where she taught at St. Teresa's School. 14

Later she wrote of her ministry:


"I am very happy that you are willing to join the suffering numbers of the Missionaries of Charity you see what I mean you and others who will join will share in all our prayers, works and whatever we do for souls, and you do the same for us with your prayers and sufferings. You see the aim of our society is to satiate the thirst of Jesus on the cross for love of souls by working for the salvation and sanctification of the poor of the slums. Who could do this better than you and the others who suffer like you? Your suffering and prayers will he the chalice in which we the working members will pour in the love of souls we gather round. Therefore you are just as important and necessary for the fulfillment of our aim. To satiate this thirst we must have a chalice and you and the others men, women, children old and young poor and rich are all welcome to make the chalice.
In reality you can do much more while on your bed of pain than I
running on my feet, but you and I together can do all things in him who
strengthens me.
There will he no vows unless sonic get permission from their confessor
 to do so. We could get a few prayers we say, for you to say them also, so as to increase the family spirit, hut one thing we must have in common
the spirit of our Society. Total surrender to God, loving trust and perfect cheerfulness by this you will be known as a Missionary of Charity. Everyone and anyone who wishes to become a missionary of Charity a carrier of God’s love is welcome but I want especially the paralyzed, the crippled, the incurables to join for I know they will bring to the fret of Jesus many souls. In our turn the Sisters will each one have a Sister who prays, suffers, thinks, unites to her and so on a second self You see, my dear Sister, our work is a most difficult one. If you are with us praying and suffering for its and the work we shall be able to do great things for love of him because of you Personally I feel very happy and a new strength has come in my soul as the thought of you and others doing the work with us, what would we not do, what can’t we do for Him?" 15


Listen to Irish music HERE

Mother Teresa Leaves for the Convent

After six years of prayerful consideration, Agnes left for the convent of the Sisters of Loreto on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1928. She was 18 years old, and never saw her mother again. She chose the name Sister Mary Teresa of the Child Jesus after Teresa of Lisieux- the "Little Flower" who had pointed the way to holiness through fidelity to small things. 11 On her voyage she wrote:

"So now we had Mass daily, and life on board no longer seemed so desolate to us. We did not have a very solemn New Year's Eve but all the same we sang the Te Deum in our hearts. Thanks be to God, we began the new year well - with a sung Mass which seemed a little more majestic to us. " 12

She never forgot her hometown and family, although her life was to live all for God. Thirty three years later she wrote:


"I thought that the people of Skopje had completely forgotten Agnes, as you are the first to write to me in such a long time. Pray fbr me. I will also pray for our people in Skopje, that they might pray for me. My mother and sister are still in Tirana. Only God knows why they have to suffer so much. I know that their sacrifices and prayers help me in my work. It is all to the greater glory of God."  13

Mother Teresa's First Calling

At the age of twelve, Agnes felt the call to join the religious life. She felt that this decision was between her and God. At this point in her life, Agnes had never seen a nun, yet she still felt the call the serve God. She said "It is a private matter. It is not a vision, I've never had a vision." 8

She was physically delicate, and at times her mother would arrange for her to visit the Shrine of the Madonna of Letnice when it was not crowded. Agnes was a born organizer, and that skill was put to good use by Agnes in the years to come. 9



"What a beautiful vocation is yours A Missionary of charity a carrier of God’s love we carry in our body and soul the love of an infinite thirsty God a/Id we you and I and all the dear Sisters and the Sick and Suffering will satiate the burning thirst —you with your an told suffering we with hard labor, but we not all the same one “as your Father in me and 1 in you”, said Jesus." 10

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Mother Teresa 's Childhood

Agnes' family, which had previously been well off, was left in poverty when her father, a prominent merchant and political figure,died suddenly. It was thought by many that he was poisoned. Despite the fact that her families circumstances were materially altered, her mother continued to assist those who were in even greater need. 3 At least once a week, her mother would feed, care for, and nurse an elderly alchoholic woman. 4 Her mother's attitude to the poor and unwanted greatly influencee Agnes. She would say "When you do good". do it quietly. as if you were throwing a stone into the sea". 5 Her mother also demonstrated spiritual lessons to the children on occasion. One day, she she brought a basket of good apples, placed a rotten apple in the middle of the perfect ones, and covered them. The next day she uncovered them to show that many had begun to rot. This lesson demonstrated the corrupting influence of socializing with those who were of poor character. 6 Agnes enjoyed going to church services, and also enjoyed hearing about the missionaries serving those in need around the world. 7

Mother Teresa Is Born

Mother Teresa was born August 26 1910 as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Serbia to parents; Nikola and Drana Bojaxhiu. The day ( August 27) of her baptism always held special significance for Agnes. She considered it her real birthday. 1

She was the youngest of three siblings. She had an older brother Lazar and and older sister Aga. Her parents were strict disciplinarians and her traditional ideas about the role of the woman in the home were undoubtedly influenced by her early home life. Her father was gone on business much of the time, and her mother was occupied with cooking, mending, and other domestic tasks. When her father returned, however, her mother would tidy up, and make sure the children were presentable. 2 

Listen to local music HERE 
Click HERE to watch a video about Mother Teresa