MOTHER TERESA

Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu is the real name of an icon of the twentieth century and a key figure to understand the values ​​of solidarity, generosity, humanity and unconditional love: Mother Teresa of Calcutta – as she was called for devoting her life to relief work and charity in that city–, was born in Skopje (Macedonia nowadays and former Albania) in 1910 and died in 1997.

She founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity to cover “the poorest of the poor”, guided by an unwavering vocation to be a missionary. Until then, in the 1950s, Mother Teresa had travelled to India and studied to be a teacher. She spent twenty years teaching at St. Mary’s High School in Calcutta. She also studied nursing and opened her first childcare centers. In 1965 the Vatican recognized the congregation, which welcomed people of all faiths, as long as they were in need.

In 1979 Mother Teresa of Calcuta received the Nobel Peace Prize, respected by institutions, governments and individuals from around the world both for her moral work and for being an inspiration. The Vatican representative appointed her as a mediator in conflicts as the Lebanon’s or in international meetings of the United Nations.

The “Saint of the Sewers”, as she was known, was beatified after her death in a public ceremony.

Mother Teresa believed in action and love of neighbour:

 

Love until it hurts. If it hurts is a good sign.

 

Sometimes we feel that what we do is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

 

The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace.

 

We must not allow anyone to stay away from our presence without feeling better and happier.

 

Peace begins with a smile.

 

We cannot do great things, but small things with great love.

 

Life is a game; participate in it. Life is too precious; do not destroy it.

 

He who does not live to serve, does not deserve to live.

 

The hunger for love is much more difficult to eradicate than the hunger for bread.

 

To keep a lamp always on, we should not stop putting oil in it.

I wish you a happy and human week,

Álex Rovira