September 5, 2026 — Mother Teresa Day: The Story of a Woman Who Devoted Her Life to Others
September 5 is a day to remember Mother Teresa of Calcutta—a nun who spent more than 45 years helping the poor, the sick, orphans, and people on the brink of death. It was on this day in 1997 that she passed away at the age of 87. Today, September 5, is associated not only with the memory of Mother Teresa but also with the UN International Day of Charity, which was established in honor of her work.
September 5, 2026, marks the 29th anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. For millions of people in various countries, this date has become an occasion to remember the woman who dedicated her life to helping the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun and the founder of the Missionaries of Charity. She worked primarily in India, but her organization later expanded its activities to dozens of countries.
Her name has become virtually synonymous with charity. At the same time, her work was not limited to simply distributing food or money. The Missionaries of Charity established homes for the homeless, shelters for children, hospices, and centers to care for the sick. That is why, even after Mother Teresa’s death, her name has continued to be associated with helping those who need it most.
Who Was Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje under the name Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. Her family was of Albanian descent. Even at a young age, she decided to devote her life to missionary work. At the age of 18, Agnes traveled to India, where she began working in a religious community and teaching.
At first, she lived a relatively ordinary life as a nun. However, over time, she began to devote more and more attention to people living in extreme poverty. In 1948, she received permission to leave monastic life behind the school walls and begin working directly among the poorest residents of Kolkata. This decision was a turning point in her life. She began visiting neighborhoods where people lived without shelter or means of support, helping the sick and those often overlooked by society.
How the Missionaries of Charity Came to Be
In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata. Its main goal was to help people who had been left without support. The nuns worked with the poor, the sick, orphans, and people who were dying without proper care. Gradually, the congregation’s activities expanded far beyond the borders of Kolkata. New homes and centers began to open in other cities in India, and later in other countries as well.
By the end of Mother Teresa’s life, her organization had already become an international network. According to the Vatican, in 1997 the Missionaries of Charity had about 4,000 sisters working in 610 missions across 123 countries. For Mother Teresa herself, the main goal was not so much to create a large organization as it was to help specific people. Her work was based on a very simple idea: a person who is suffering should not be left alone.
Why Mother Teresa Received the Nobel Prize
Mother Teresa’s international recognition began long before her death. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee recognized her work in combating poverty and suffering, which, in the committee’s view, also pose a threat to peace. By that time, her work was already known far beyond the borders of India. Journalists, politicians, religious leaders, and philanthropists from various countries came to Kolkata.
Mother Teresa used this international attention to attract more resources to the work of the Missionaries of Charity. Her speeches and interviews were often very simple. She spoke not so much about global political issues as about the specific person in need of help. UN documents refer to her as one of the world’s most famous philanthropists and note that she received the Nobel Prize precisely for her work to combat poverty and human suffering.
The Final Years of Her Life
Mother Teresa’s final years were difficult. She had serious health problems but continued to lead her congregation. In 1997, she handed over leadership of the Missionaries of Charity to a new superior general. After that, Mother Teresa returned to Kolkata. She spent the final weeks of her life at her congregation’s Motherhouse, receiving visitors and offering advice to the sisters.
On September 5, 1997, she died at the age of 87. A state funeral was held for her in India. Mother Teresa’s body was buried at the Motherhouse of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata. Her grave quickly became a place of pilgrimage. People of various religions came there to pray and honor the memory of the nun.
Why September 5 Became a Special Date
After Mother Teresa’s death, September 5 began to be associated with her memory and charitable work. In 2012, the UN General Assembly officially proclaimed September 5 as International Day of Charity. The UN explicitly stated that the date was chosen to mark the anniversary of Mother Teresa’s death.
The purpose of this day is to draw attention to philanthropy, volunteerism, and helping people who are experiencing humanitarian crises and difficult life circumstances. The UN calls on people on this day not only to talk about helping others but also to organize charity events, volunteer campaigns, fundraisers, and educational initiatives. Thus, September 5 effectively combines two themes—the memory of Mother Teresa and the broader concept of charity.
Mother Teresa Was Canonized
After Mother Teresa’s death, the Catholic Church began the process of her canonization. In 2003, Pope John Paul II declared her blessed. The ceremony took place in Rome on October 19, just a few years after her death. Thirteen years later, Mother Teresa was canonized.
On September 4, 2016, Pope Francis canonized her in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Since then, she has been known in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. In 2024, Pope Francis decided to include her feast day in the General Roman Calendar. Beginning in 2025, September 5 is the optional liturgical memorial of Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
How Mother Teresa Is Honored
On September 5, Catholic churches that observe her memorial may hold services and prayers dedicated to Saint Teresa of Calcutta. This date holds special significance for the Missionaries of Charity. In their communities, they remember their founder, pray, and continue the work to which she dedicated her life. Charitable events are also held in various countries. These may include fundraising for those in need, helping the homeless, visiting the sick, supporting children, or volunteer initiatives.
There is no specific secular tradition associated with this day. This is important, as September 5 is not a public holiday. For many people, the best way to honor the memory of Mother Teresa is to do something helpful for another person. It can even be a small act of kindness: supporting a charitable foundation, donating items to those in need, helping an elderly person, or spending a few hours volunteering.
Interesting Facts About Mother Teresa
She was born Agnes. The future Mother Teresa was named Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. She took the name Teresa after entering religious life.
She arrived in India at the age of 18. It was there that she devoted most of her life to working with the poor and the sick.
The Missionaries of Charity were founded in 1950. At first, it was a small community in Kolkata, but it eventually grew into an international organization.
In 1979, she received the Nobel Peace Prize. She was awarded the prize for her fight against poverty and suffering.
She died on September 5, 1997. This date later became the UN International Day of Charity.
She was canonized in 2016. Pope Francis declared Mother Teresa a saint 19 years after her death.
In 2025, her feast day was officially added to the General Roman Calendar. Now, September 5 is the liturgical feast day of Saint Teresa of Calcutta in the Roman Catholic tradition.
What quotes are associated with Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa left behind many quotes about helping others, mercy, and treating others with kindness. One of her most famous quotes, which the UN also used on a commemorative postage stamp, is: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Another idea central to her work was not to wait for an opportunity to do something grand, but to start helping with whatever is available right now. That is why the memory of Mother Teresa today is associated with more than just her personal story. She has become a symbol of an approach in which helping others begins with a concrete act.
Why She Is Still Remembered Today
Almost three decades have passed since Mother Teresa’s death, but her name remains known throughout the world. The Missionaries of Charity continue to work in various countries. Their work involves helping people living in poverty, the homeless, the sick, and other vulnerable groups.
At the same time, Mother Teresa is not universally admired. Over the years, her work has also been the subject of criticism and debate regarding conditions in some charitable institutions and her approaches to aid. Therefore, in journalistic coverage, it is important to distinguish between her canonization and religious veneration on the one hand, and the assessments of her work by historians and critics on the other.
Nevertheless, one fact remains unchanged: her name has become one of the symbols of charity in the 20th century. And today, September 5, holds even greater significance. It is the day when people remember Mother Teresa, talk about helping others, and are reminded that charity can begin with a very simple step.
