In the annals of human history, few figures have shone as brightly as Mother Teresa, a beacon of love and compassion in a world often marred by strife and suffering. Born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire and is now the capital of North Macedonia, she embarked on a journey that would take her from the humblest of beginnings to global recognition as a symbol of selflessness and devotion.

Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, as she was named at birth, was the youngest of three children in an Albanian family. Her father, Nikola Bojaxhiu, was a successful businessman, and her mother, Dranafile Bojaxhiu, instilled in her a deep faith and a sense of compassion for those less fortunate. Tragedy struck the family when Agnes was only eight years old, with the sudden death of her father. This loss would profoundly shape her future path, as she sought solace and purpose in her Catholic faith.

At the tender age of 18, Agnes left her family home in Skopje and traveled to Ireland, where she joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India. After a year of training in Dublin, she set sail for India, arriving in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in 1929. It was in this bustling, poverty-stricken city that she would spend the majority of her life's work.

Agnes took her religious vows in 1931 and adopted the name Sister Mary Teresa, after Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries. She taught at St. Mary's High School in Kolkata for 15 years, but her destiny was about to take a remarkable turn. On a train journey to Darjeeling in 1946, she experienced what she described as a "call within a call" from Jesus. She felt compelled to leave the convent and work among the poorest of the poor, providing them with the love, care, and dignity they so often lacked.

Thus, in 1950, Sister Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to serving the destitute and dying. The initial years were marked by hardship and uncertainty, but her unwavering faith and determination saw her through. She began her work in the slums of Kolkata, where she and her fellow sisters ministered to those living in squalor, tending to the sick and abandoned.

It wasn't long before word of her selfless efforts spread, and the Missionaries of Charity gained recognition and support. Mother Teresa's simple white sari with a blue border became synonymous with her mission. Her work extended far beyond Kolkata, with missions established across India and eventually around the world. She also set up hospices, orphanages, and schools, always with the goal of serving the most marginalized in society.

Despite the countless lives she touched, Mother Teresa remained remarkably humble. She often spoke of seeing Jesus in the "distressing disguise of the poor" and believed that her work was a way of serving Him. Her unwavering commitment to the impoverished and downtrodden earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Mother Teresa's work was not without controversy. Some critics accused her of proselytizing under the guise of humanitarian aid, and her views on issues like abortion and contraception stirred debate. Nevertheless, she remained steadfast in her convictions, guided by her faith and her belief in the sanctity of life.

Her impact extended beyond her lifetime. Even after her passing on September 5, 1997, her legacy continued through the Missionaries of Charity, which expanded its reach to more than 130 countries. Her canonization as a saint in the Catholic Church in 2016 further solidified her place in history.

Mother Teresa's life was a shining example of the difference one person can make in the world. Her love and care for the marginalized continue to inspire countless individuals to follow in her footsteps, carrying forward her mission