Mother Teresa, now known as St. Teresa of Calcutta, was born August 26, 1910 and died Sept 5, 1997. Though she had no children of her own she was the mother to hundreds.
She believed that all one needed to do was to pray and love one another. Her purpose in life was simple. It was to love, serve, and respect all human beings especially the poorest of the poor. She was able to see the Divine in everyone.
Leading a simple life she lived among the poor of Calcutta. Others who wanted to be like her followed her in the order of the Missionaries of Charity.
Mother Teresa claimed to be just a “pencil in God’s hand.” She knew people on a very deep level by simply being present for them. And, though Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun, she served a community in India who were largely non-Christian, but didn’t require those she served to convert to Catholicism.
She said, “We serve Jesus in the poor, we nurse Him, feed Him, cloth Him, visit Him.” She believed there are six steps to creating peace, each leading to the other: silence, prayer, faith, love, service and peace.
Today there are about 6000 sisters, brothers, and priests in the order of the Missionaries of Charity serving in 134 countries. There are many documentaries and books on the life of Mother Teresa.
Below in the “ABC’s of Mother Teresa” is the code in which she lived her life, and encouraged others to live theirs.
The ABC’s of Mother Teresa
Always have the courage to say sorry.
Be kind, be compassionate.
Control your judgments.
Don’t let yourself get discouraged.
Every minute is precious – don’t waste your time.
Find out what is nice in each other.
Give until it hurts.
Have deep respect for each other.
If you really want to love God, love one another.
Just do small things with great love.
Keep your heart clean.
Learn to pray, love to pray, and pray often.
Make time for each other in your family.
Never tell lies.
Only believe-you are precious to Him.
Put love in whatever you do.
Quite a lot of people have forgotten what love is… so begin to give the joy of loving.
Refrain from prejudice.
Smile at each other.
Take the trouble to listen.
Use your talents for the glory of God.
Very often, we look but we don’t see. Let us look AND see.
When humiliation comes, accept it and offer it.
eXcuse rather than accuse.
You must learn to forgive.
Zeal is a second name for love. Do not lose that zeal!
May we all endeavor to live our lives according to this code.
Love and Peace,
Mary Mohs LVN, MA, RYT,