2010 - Mother Teresa Birth Centenary | Commemorative Coin

The 4th commemorative coin of 2010 was released to mark the Birth Centenary of Mother Teresa.

Mother Teresa remains one of the most admired and universally respected figures of the twentieth century, celebrated for her unwavering compassion, humility, and lifelong service to the poorest and most vulnerable. Born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, she was christened Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu and grew up in a devout Catholic family that instilled in her deep faith and a strong sense of charity. At the age of eighteen, she left her home to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland, eventually travelling to India, the country that would become her home and the centre of her humanitarian mission.

After teaching for nearly two decades at St. Mary’s School in Kolkata, Mother Teresa felt a profound calling in 1946, a moment she described as the “call within a call,” urging her to leave the convent and serve those abandoned and suffering on the streets. In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation dedicated to caring for the destitute, the sick, the dying, and the neglected. What began as a small effort in Kolkata grew into a global movement, with thousands of sisters and volunteers running homes, clinics, orphanages, and hospices across continents. Her work was rooted in the belief that every human life, regardless of condition or circumstance, deserved dignity, love, and compassion.

Mother Teresa became a global symbol of selfless service, often venturing into areas of immense poverty, disease, and despair to comfort those who had no support. She nursed the ill, held the hands of the dying, and offered solace to people society had forgotten. Her approach was simple yet profound—seeing the divine in every person and responding with unconditional kindness. Her life’s mission was not only to alleviate physical suffering but also to touch hearts, reminding humanity of the importance of empathy and moral responsibility.

Her extraordinary humanitarian efforts earned her worldwide recognition, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She accepted the award on behalf of the poor, using the platform to urge global leaders and citizens to commit to peace through small acts of love. Despite receiving numerous honours, she remained deeply humble, often emphasising that her work was merely an expression of God’s love and that true change could be achieved when individuals cared for one another.

Mother Teresa’s later years were marked by declining health, yet she continued to guide her congregation and inspire millions. She passed away on September 5, 1997, leaving behind a vast legacy of compassion and service. In 2016, she was canonised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by the Catholic Church, a recognition of her extraordinary holiness and the impact of her life’s work.

Her legacy endures not only through the continued efforts of the Missionaries of Charity but also through the countless individuals and organisations inspired by her example. She remains a global icon of love, reminding the world that even the smallest act of kindness can bring profound change and that true service lies in giving oneself wholeheartedly to others.

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