Mother Teresa | Canonization, Awards, Facts, & Feast Day

Canonization:
Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. The canonization ceremony took place on September 4, 2016, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Pope Francis declared her a saint, recognizing her life of service and dedication to the poor and needy.

Awards:
Mother Teresa received numerous awards and honors for her humanitarian work. Some of the notable ones include:

Nobel Peace Prize (1979): Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, where she founded the Missionaries of Charity and provided care and assistance to the sick and poor.

Bharat Ratna (1980): She received India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in recognition of her exceptional service to humanity.

Presidential Medal of Freedom (1985): The United States awarded Mother Teresa the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her humanitarian work.

Order of the Smile (1991): Mother Teresa received this international award, given to those who work to improve the lives of children.

Honorary Citizenship of the United States (1996): Mother Teresa was granted honorary U.S. citizenship for her charitable efforts.

Facts:

Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje (now the capital of North Macedonia).
She became a nun at the age of 18 and later moved to India, where she started her missionary work.
The Missionaries of Charity, the religious congregation founded by Mother Teresa in 1950, operates in over 130 countries, providing care for people suffering from diseases like leprosy, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.
Mother Teresa's work was not limited to helping the sick and poor; she also advocated for peace and spoke against abortion.
Despite her fame, Mother Teresa lived a humble life and considered herself simply a "small pencil in the hand of God."
Feast Day:
Mother Teresa's feast day is celebrated on September 5th, the anniversary of her death. This day is dedicated to honoring her life, work, and legacy within the Catholic Church.

Mother Teresa's unwavering commitment to helping the less fortunate and her embodiment of selfless service continue to inspire people around the world.