St. Teresa of Calcutta (1910–1997) is one of the beloved saints of the Catholic Church. Mother Teresa was an Albanian-Indian foundress of the Missionaries of Charity who dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor. She began her work in the slums of Calcutta, picking up the dying from the streets and giving them dignity in death. The Church celebrates St. Teresa of Calcutta's feast on 09-05.
Catholic Daily brings you the life of St. Teresa of Calcutta as part of our commitment to helping Catholics encounter the saints of the liturgical calendar every morning. Whether you are discovering St. Teresa of Calcutta for the first time or deepening a long-standing devotion, this page offers biography, prayers, and practical guidance for honoring this holy patron in your daily life.
Early Life and Calling of St. Teresa of Calcutta
Mother Teresa was an Albanian-Indian foundress of the Missionaries of Charity who dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor. She began her work in the slums of Calcutta, picking up the dying from the streets and giving them dignity in death. Her order grew to operate hospices, orphanages, and schools in over 130 countries.
The vocation of St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us that holiness is not the exclusive domain of monks and nuns but the universal call of every baptized Christian. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium teaches that all the faithful are called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity — and St. Teresa of Calcutta's life is a shining example of that universal call answered with total generosity.
Patron Saint: World Youth Day, Missionaries of Charity
St. Teresa of Calcutta is honored as the patron saint of World Youth Day, Missionaries of Charity. The designation of patron saints is a beautiful expression of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the saints in heaven are not distant figures from the past but active intercessors who accompany us in our earthly journey.
Those who work in or are associated with World Youth Day have traditionally invoked St. Teresa of Calcutta's intercession for protection, guidance, and grace in their particular circumstances. The patronage of St. Teresa of Calcutta is grounded in the specific details of Calcutta's life and ministry, which created a lasting bond between this saint and those who share similar callings or needs.
How to Honor St. Teresa of Calcutta in Your Daily Life
The Church's tradition offers many beautiful ways to honor St. Teresa of Calcutta and seek Calcutta's intercession:
On the Feast Day (09-05): Attend Mass if possible, as the liturgy on Calcutta's feast day will often include readings and prayers that illuminate Calcutta's particular sanctity. Light a candle before an image of St. Teresa of Calcutta and spend a few minutes in prayer.
Daily Devotion: Place an image or icon of St. Teresa of Calcutta in your home — in your prayer corner, on your desk, or in your car. A simple morning invocation, "St. Calcutta, pray for us," draws Calcutta's intercession into your day.
Novena: A nine-day novena to St. Teresa of Calcutta can be prayed before the feast day (beginning nine days prior) or at any time of particular need. Many Catholics have reported profound graces through novena prayer.
Study: Read a biography of St. Teresa of Calcutta. The lives of the saints are the living commentary on the Gospel — they show us what it looks like to follow Christ in a particular time, culture, and vocation.
Prayer to St. Teresa of Calcutta
O glorious St. Teresa of Calcutta, whose life was a testament to the love and power of Almighty God, look upon us with mercy from your place before His throne. You who walked the path of holiness with courage and fidelity, intercede for us who struggle in the pilgrimage of faith. Obtain for us from God the graces we most need — especially [state your intention here] — and help us to follow your example of love, courage, and total surrender to God's will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast Day Prayer (from the Roman Missal):Lord our God, you have given us St. Teresa of Calcutta as a witness to your goodness and mercy. May we who honor Calcutta's memory imitate Calcutta's virtues and one day share Calcutta's joy in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta in Art and Catholic Tradition
St. Teresa of Calcutta has been depicted in Catholic sacred art for centuries. Traditional iconography of the saints communicates theological truths through visual symbols — a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart.
Common symbols associated with St. Teresa of Calcutta in Catholic art may include:
- A halo or nimbus, indicating canonized sainthood
- Specific objects or instruments associated with Calcutta's life or martyrdom
- Liturgical vestments corresponding to Calcutta's state of life (religious habit, episcopal robes, or lay clothing)
- A palm branch, if St. Teresa of Calcutta is a martyr
A lesser-known fact about St. Teresa of Calcutta: Her private letters, published posthumously, revealed that she experienced decades of spiritual darkness and a feeling of God's absence, even while radiating joy.
When praying before an image of St. Teresa of Calcutta, allow the symbols to draw your attention to the virtues they represent. Sacred art is not decoration but theology made visible — a window through which the heavenly reality shines into our earthly prayer.