Untitled Flashcard Set

TERESA


MOTHER TERESA


1. Background

Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India.

She worked in a context of extreme poverty, where many people were homeless, sick, abandoned, or dying on the streets.

Her mission was to serve the “poorest of the poor” and give dignity to people who were ignored by society.

Memory line:  

Nun in India helping the poorest in extreme poverty.

2. Scripture Connection — Philippians 4:4–9

This passage teaches Christians to be joyful, gentle, and to focus on what is good, pure, and honourable.

Mother Teresa lived this out by:

  • showing gentleness when caring for the dying

  • bringing peace and comfort to people who were suffering

  • choosing to focus on goodness even in terrible conditions

Her joyful service in the slums reflects Paul’s message to trust God and bring goodness into places of suffering.

Memory line:  

Philippians = joy + gentleness → matches her caring for the poor.

3. Church Teaching Connection — Catholic Social Teaching

Human Dignity

The Church teaches that every person is made in the image of God and deserves respect.

Mother Teresa lived this by treating the dying, sick, and abandoned as valuable and loved, not worthless.

Preferential Option for the Poor

CST says Christians must give special care to the poor and vulnerable.

Mother Teresa built her entire mission around this — she chose to live among the poor and serve them first.

Memory line:  

Human dignity + poor first = her whole mission.

4. Model of Goodness — TWO real actions

Action 1: Homes for the Dying

She opened homes where people who were abandoned on the streets could be:

  • washed

  • fed

  • cared for

  • allowed to die with dignity

This responded to the evil of neglect and promoted compassion and justice.

Action 2: Missionaries of Charity worldwide

Her organisation runs:

  • soup kitchens

  • orphanages

  • homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and disabilities

This responds to suffering and injustice by giving practical help to the most vulnerable.

Memory line:  

Dying homes + global charity work.

5. Christian Living & Discipleship

Mother Teresa shows Christian living because she:

  • followed Jesus’ command to love your neighbour

  • lived a life of service, sacrifice, and compassion

  • saw Jesus in the poor (“the distressing disguise of the poor”)

  • inspired others to serve the vulnerable

Her example encourages Christians today to:

  • value human dignity

  • practise charity and justice

  • serve those who are forgotten

Memory line:  

Love, service, sacrifice → following Jesus.



MEMORISE


  • Background: Nun in Calcutta helping the poorest.

  • Scripture: Philippians 4:4–9 → joy + gentleness.

  • Church teaching: Human dignity + preferential option for the poor.

  • Actions: Homes for dying + global charity work.

  • Discipleship: Love, service, sacrifice, following Jesus.