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."