The Name of Mother Teresa's Order: The Missionaries of Charity

Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, was a relentless humanitarian who dedicated her life to serving the suffering. In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, an order that today has 5,000 sisters worldwide, making it one of the largest religious communities in the Catholic Church.

The Founding and Early Years

On 5 September 1950, Mother Teresa was given permission by the Archbishop of Calcutta, Roque de Lippe, to start a religious order to serve the poorest of the poor in the streets of Calcutta. The Missionaries of Charity was officially founded, with a small beginning. The initial focus was solely on a home for dying and destitute people.

At first, the order was a small community of nuns living a simple life in a shanty outside of the city. However, as the needs of the poor multiplied, so did the order. Today, the nuns serve millions in more than 130 countries, with thousands of volunteers and helpers. In the following section, we will explore the significant milestones and expansion of the Missionaries of Charity, and its core mission.

Core Goals and Expanding Reach

The primary goals of the Missionaries of Charity revolve around providing care and support to the most vulnerable people in the world. The mission is to alleviate suffering, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, bring comfort to the sick, and give the dying a peaceful death. These goals were inspired by her personal faith and her desire to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

The Spread of the Order: As the original house in Calcutta expanded, more branches of the Missionaries of Charity were established. In the 1950s, for instance, the first home for the dying was extended with a more substantial facility, and in the 1960s, further branches were set up in regions surrounding Calcutta. By the 1970s, the order had spread to countries like Nepal, England, and the United States.

The order has since grown exponentially, with sister houses in Mumbai, Kolkata, and other Indian cities addressing local needs. Moreover, through the active efforts of organization, they have established 518 homelessness centers, 3,631 schools and vocational training centers, and 122 nursing homes and orphanages in the country. Such centers serve as sanctuaries, offering a protection to the marginalized and impoverished, providing healthcare, food, and education, and aiding in the overall welfare of the people they serve.

Internationally Recognized Services

Over the years, the Missionaries of Charity has expanded its services beyond the borders of India. One of its first international branches was established in Rome, in 1965, just two years after the main organization was founded. By the 1990s, the order had branches in more than 60 countries across all continents, offering services in 3,000 centers and serving about a million people daily.

The order's reach extends to various continents, from North America to Europe and Asia. They provide critical support to underserved communities, offering healthcare, education, emergency relief, and more. For instance, they run hospices, orphanages, schools, and water and sanitation programs. This global expansion showcases the sisterhood's relentless dedication to serving those in need, a mission that Mother Teresa inspired.

Alocalhost, Blocalhost, and Clocalhost

Despite its global presence, the central mission of the Missionaries of Charity remains in Calcutta, where the original house is located. The headquarters, also known as Motherhouse, is a significant center for the order. It's a place of reflection, prayer, and the core from where the international network of the order is managed. Visitors to the Motherhouse can experience the magnitude of the work done by Mother Teresa and her sisters over the decades.

Mother Teresa and the Catholic Faith: As a faithful member of the Catholic Church, Mother Teresa often shared that her work with the Missionaries of Charity was rooted in her faith. She believed that her actions were directly guided by her faith, and she sought to do God's will by serving the poor and the sick. Her hope was that her sisters would continue her tradition, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, and act on his words to "Do whatever He tells you."

Conclusion

In summary, the name of Mother Teresa’s order is the Missionaries of Charity. Founded in 1950, it is now a worldwide organization with a network of over 5,000 sisters, dedicated to serving the most vulnerable populations. The example of the Missionaries of Charity underscores the power of dedicated service and the impact that one individual can have, inspiring countless others to follow in their footsteps and make a difference in the world.