Ambassador of God – Mother Teresa
The 5th of September, 2009 marks a little more than a decade since the world lost the Ambassador of God and Icon of the 20th century Mother Teresa, who continues to live in the hearts of her believers across the world
Pope John Paul the 2nd has said “Mother Teresa marked the history of our century with courage. She served all human beings by promoting their dignity and respect, and made those who had been defeated by life feel the tenderness of God”
Mother Teresa in her blue border cotton white sari is a familiar figure to the world and is held in deep affection by people across all religions. She was born on 17th August 1910 to Albanian parents in Skopje [Yugoslavia (now known as Macedonia)] and was baptized as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. After graduating high school in Skopje she joined the sisters of Loreto. She was sent to the orders convent in Calcutta. Nineteen years later she left the convent to work directly with the slum residents of Calcutta, all she had then was her unfailing faith and tremendous determination. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of charity that brought hope to the poorest of poor not only in India but across the world. The deepest consolation offered by her was something that went beyond physical care, it was LOVE. It involves emotional involvement, making people feel they are wanted.
In recognition of her impressive humanitarian activities and compassionate work evoked worldwide recognition. Award followed after award from the Padmashree (1962), The Magsaysay (1962), The Pope John XX111 Peace Prize (1971), The J. F. Kennedy International Award (1971), The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding (1972), The Order of St. Francis of Assisi (1974), Nobel Peace Prize (1979), The Bharat Ratna (1980) and many more.
She is the only personality to appear on Indian Postal stamp when alive. The stamp was issued in 1980. The stamp carries a portrait of Mother Teresa along with the facsimile of the reverse of the Nobel Peace Prize medallion.
She died in Calcutta on 5th September 1997. Mother Teresa was granted a full state funeral by the Indian Government, an honor normally given to presidents and prime ministers. Following the death of Mother Teresa a host of countries like Liberia, Malta, Uganda, The Turks and Caicos Island etc. issued coins in her name. An interesting coin of Mother Teresa issued by the Turks and Caicos Island is of guilt copper nickel, the front of the coin carries a portrait of Mother Teresa and her signature with the inscription “God bless them those who help hungry people”, Reverse of the coin shows embedded date and value.
A coin was issued by Turks & Caicos Island immediately after the death of Mother Teresa as a part of the campaign against hunger. Few organizations took objection to the use of Mothers name for promotional campaign and the coin was recalled.
Mother Teresa was formally beatified by Pope John Paul 2 on 19th October, 2003; a second verified miracle is required for Mother to proceed to canonization as a saint. With so much service to poor, incapacitated and needy I doubt if any more miracles are really needed. She is the peoples saint. Only a saint can leave everything at age of 17 to serve people in third world countries.
It is not surprising that Mother Teresa had undergone a deep crisis of faith for the last four decades of her life, let’s not forget the fact that apostles had undergone similar struggle in the New Testament. They had their problems. They had abandoned the Lord and then they rose above that and continued in their faith.
The greatness of the great Mother can not only be seen from the humanitarian activities she carried out but are acknowledged by the Stamps, Coins issued in her name across the world and all the awards she has received.
