Feast day: Sept. 5
Mother Teresa opened the first convent for the Missionaries of Charity in Charlotte during her visit to the city in 1995, accompanied by then-Bishop William Curlin. (File, Catholic News Herald)Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the tiny woman recognized throughout the world for her work among the poorest of the poor, was beatified Oct. 19, 2003. Among those present were hundreds of Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded in 1950 as a diocesan religious community. Today the congregation also includes contemplative sisters and brothers, and an order of priests.
Born to Albanian parents in what is now Skopje, Macedonia, Gonxha (Agnes) Bojaxhiu was the youngest of the three children who survived. For a time, the family lived comfortably, and her father’s construction business thrived. But life changed overnight following his unexpected death.
During her years in public school, Agnes participated in a Catholic sodality (confraternity) and showed a strong interest in the foreign missions. At age 18, she entered the Loreto Sisters of Dublin. It was 1928 when she said goodbye to her mother for the final time and made her way to a new land and a new life. The following year she was sent to the Loreto novitiate in Darjeeling, India. There she chose the name Teresa and prepared for a life of service. She was assigned to a high school for girls in Calcutta, where she taught history and geography to the daughters of the wealthy. But she could not escape the realities around her – the poverty, the suffering, the overwhelming numbers of destitute people.
In 1946, while riding a train to Darjeeling to make a retreat, Sister Teresa heard what she later explained as “a call within a call. The message was clear. I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them.” She also heard a call to give up her life with the Sisters of Loreto and instead, to “follow Christ into the slums to serve him among the poorest of the poor.”
After receiving permission to leave Loreto, establish a new religious community, and undertake her new work, Sister Teresa took a nursing course for several months. She returned to Calcutta, where she lived in the slums and opened a school for poor children. Dressed in a white sari and sandals – the ordinary dress of an Indian woman – she soon began getting to know her neighbors – especially the poor and sick – and getting to know their needs through visits.
The work was exhausting, but she was not alone for long. Volunteers who came to join her in the work, some of them former students, became the core of the Missionaries of Charity. Others helped by donating food, clothing, supplies and the use of buildings. In 1952, the city of Calcutta gave Mother Teresa a former hostel, which became a home for the dying and the destitute. As the Missionaries of Charity expanded their reach, services were extended to help orphans, abandoned children, alcoholics, the aging and street people.
For the next four decades, Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity worked tirelessly on behalf of the poor and forgotten. Her love knew no bounds. Nor did her energy, as she crisscrossed the globe pleading for support and inviting others to see the face of Jesus in the poorest of the poor. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1995, Mother Teresa visited Charlotte at the invitation of then Bishop William Curlin, who was a close friend and her confessor. She spoke to a crowd of thousands at Bojangles’ Coliseum, and she officially opened a convent for the Missionaries of Charity to serve the poor and vulnerable women in the city.
Mother Teresa died Sept. 5, 1997, and she was canonized by Pope Francis on Sept. 4, 2016.
She left a testament of unshakable faith, invincible hope and extraordinary charity. Her response to God’s call made her a “mother to the poor,” a symbol of compassion to the world, and a living witness to the thirsting love of God.
— Spencer K.M. Brown, Franciscan Media and catholic.org
Prayer for the intercession of St. Teresa of Calcutta
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all. Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (make your request here). Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for us.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.
Related stories:
Bishop Curlin reflects on his friend, St. Teresa of Calcutta
Visit our churches as you take in North Carolina’s kaleidoscope of color
Make time to get away to see North Carolina’s kaleidoscope of color this fall and consider visiting our scenic churches as you take in the natural beauty of our diocese. From our newest parish, St. Jude near Gorges State Park in Sapphire, to St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville, the Diocese of Charlotte includes more than a dozen churches along leaf viewing routes throughout western North Carolina.
Many offer historical and architectural significance, as well as a range of Mass times, within close proximity of natural treasures such as Grandfather Mountain, Linville Gorge and Sliding Rock. Peak color is expected from early October through early November, depending on elevation. God’s beauty awaits!
— SueAnn Howell
Click on each leaf above to discover parish information and find directions.
1. St. Lawrence Basilica
Dedicated in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Lawrence Basilica is capped by a spectacular tiled dome – one of the largest free-standing elliptical domes in North America.
97 Haywood St., Asheville, N.C. 28801
www.saintlawrencebasilica.org
2. Immaculate Conception Church
This church features a beautiful hand-carved white oak crucifix suspended above the altar and set against a backdrop of stacked stone.
208 Seventh Ave., Hendersonville, N.C. 28791
www.immaculateconceptionchurch.com
3. Sacred Heart Church
Conveniently located near Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, a walkable town noted as a tourism, retirement and cultural destination.
150 Brian Berg Lane, Brevard, N.C. 28712
www.sacredheartbrevard.org
4. St. Andrew the Apostle Church
Just 20 minutes north of Asheville, Mars Hill is a small college town near a host of outdoor activities.
149 Brook St., Mars Hill, N.C. 28754
www.standrew-sacredheart.org
5. St. Bernadette Church
Enjoy panoramic views of Grandfather Mountain. An outdoor St. Anthony of Padua Chapel and a Lourdes grotto are open for prayer.
2085 N.C. Hwy. 105, Linville, N.C. 28646
www.stlucienbernadette.org
6. St. Elizabeth Church
Boone is located near hiking trails, zipline courses, ski resort chairlifts and waterfall trails that
provide perfect leaf viewing opportunities.
259 Pilgrim’s Way, Boone N.C. 28607
www.saintecc.org
7. St. Frances of Rome Church
Sparta is situated in the heart of the Blue Ridge Parkway not far from the second oldest river in the world, the New River.
29 Highland Dr., Sparta N.C. 28675
www.stfrancesofrome-sparta.org
8. St. Francis of Assisi Church
Located hillside in a town within the Nantahala National Forest, visitors can pray at an outdoor
St. Joseph Shrine.
299 Maple St., Franklin, N.C. 28734
www.stfrancisassisifranklin.org
9. St. Francis of Assisi Church
Come see the 33 beautiful windows designed by Statesville Stained Glass Co. and venerate a first-class relic of St. Francis in the nave of this “mountain Gothic” style church.
167 St. Francis Pl., Jefferson, N.C. 28640
www.stfrancisofassisi-jefferson.org
10. St. Joseph Church
Nestled between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest, this area is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
316 Main St., Bryson City, N.C. 28713
www.stjosephbryson.org
11. St. Margaret of Scotland Church
Perched above Maggie Valley, this is the perfect spot for leaf looking near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
37 Murphy Dr., Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751
www.stmargaretofscotlandmv.org
12. St. Mary, Mother of God Church
Filmmakers have captured the beauty of this small town located near the Cherokee Indian Reservation and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
22 Bartlett St., Sylva, N.C. 28779
www.stmarymotherofgod.com
13. St. Jude Church
Formerly a mission of Sacred Heart Parish in Brevard, this picturesque octagonal church was elevated to a parish in July, making it the newest church in the Diocese of Charlotte.
3011 Hwy. 64 East, Sapphire Valley, N.C. 28774
www.stjudeofsapphirevalley.org
14. Holy Angels Church
Mayberry fame aside, Mount Airy is known for its white granite and Holy Angels Church is made from it. Also check out the historic altar, stained glass and statues inside.
1208 North Main St., Mt. Airy, N.C. 27030
www.mountairycatholicsha.com
15. St. Margaret Mary Church
This wooden church built in the Gothic style, with large exposed rafters, just celebrated its 85th anniversary last year.
102 Andrews Place, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
www.saintmmc.com
16. St. William Church
This westernmost church in the diocese is in a quaint town flanked by the Hiwassee and Valley Rivers.
765 Andrews Road, Murphy, N.C. 28906
www.st-william.net
17. St. Lucien Church
In an area surrounded by national forest and graced by the North Toe River, the town boasts a lively arts scene and great parks.
695 Summit St., Spruce Pine, N.C. 28777
www.stlucienbernadette.org
18. Sacred Heart Church
Home to Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, this mountain town offers endless outdoor adventures.
20 Summit St., Burnsville, N.C. 28714
www.standrew-sacredheart.org
19. Church of the Epiphany
From farms and wineries to galleries and ski slopes, this part of western North Carolina does not disappoint.
163 Galax Lane, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605
www.saintecc.org/church-of-the-epiphany/
20. St. John the Evangelist Church
In the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, visitors enjoy all that mountain vistas of Cataloochee Valley and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
234 Church St., Waynesville, N.C. 28786
www.stjohnrcc.com
