The Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta

The Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta live daily the legacy of love and compassion promoted by their foundress, Mother Teresa of Calcutta. All over the world, they alleviate the suffering of the less fortunate.

The Missionaries of Charity are the living legacy left by Mother Teresa of Calcutta to the world. Commonly known as the Sisters of Charity, they are a religious order founded in 1950. These sisters, devoted to the service of the neediest, have had a significant impact on the society that the Saint, a symbol of charity, sought to improve, spreading her message of love, compassion and care throughout the world.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, also known as Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta after her canonisation in 2016, was a charismatic and selfless figure who dedicated her life to helping the poor, the sick, orphans, and the dying in the streets of Calcutta, India. Her inspiration and devotion to the cause of charity attracted numerous young women who decided to join the Missionaries of Charity to follow her example. The order of the Missionaries of Charity grew rapidly, spreading to different parts of the world, including Rome, where one of the mother houses of the order was founded.
Among the sisters of the order, there are also the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity, a sub-branch of the Missionaries of Charity. These sisters are particularly dedicated to assisting the poor and accompanying terminally ill patients towards death, offering comfort and support during those difficult moments.

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St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta in painted wood from Val Gardena

St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta in painted wood from Val Gardena.The Saint holds a rosary in her hands…

Despite Mother Teresa’s passing in 1997, her spirit and mission continue to live on through the Missionaries of Charity, who carry forward her precious work and inspire people all over the world to be selfless and generous towards the most vulnerable in society. The sisters of this order have shown by their example that the true meaning of love and compassion lies in serving others and dedicating oneself to works of mercy. Their influence and commitment are a testimony to the importance of placing the well-being of others at the centre of our existence. It is no coincidence that, in addition to observing the three vows common to all religious (poverty, obedience, and chastity), the Missionaries of Charity take a fourth special vow, an act of even deeper dedication: to offer themselves for the service of the poorest of the poor.

The History of the Missionaries of Charity

The founder of the Missionaries of Charity was Mother Teresa of Calcutta, born Anjeza Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in 1910 and passed away in 1997. Of Albanian origin, she initially joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish branch of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a religious, she chose the name Teresa in honour of the Carmelite nun Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
In 1929, she was sent to India, where she began her career as a teacher. There, Mother Teresa was deeply struck by the atrocious living conditions and poverty endured by the people of Calcutta. With the Holy See’s approval, on 18 August 1948, she decided to leave her congregation and found a new one, the Missionaries of Charity, with the aim of dedicating herself entirely to the assistance and care of the most needy. On 19 March 1949, the first companion joined her on this path of dedication to the service of others.

On 7 October 1950, the Archbishop of Calcutta officially established the Missionaries of Charity as a religious congregation of diocesan right, recognising their commitment and mission. Later, on 1 February 1965, they also received pontifical approval, thus gaining global recognition.
The commitment of Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity to helping the poor, the sick, orphans, and the dying attracted worldwide attention. In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her extraordinary contribution to humanity.

The beatification of Mother Teresa took place on 19 October 2003, when Pope John Paul II declared her blessed during a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, Rome. Finally, Pope Francis canonised Mother Teresa on 4 September 2016, officially recognising her sainthood and the importance of her work in caring for the most needy and inspiring generations of volunteers and devotees to follow her noble example.

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Mother Teresa ring in bronze – ITALIAN

Beautiful bronze ring with an Italian mother Teresa’s prayer on it: “It doesn’t matter how much we give…

The Attire of the Missionaries of Charity

The sisters of the Missionaries of Charity are distinguished by their modest and distinctive attire, wearing a white sari with blue borders and a cross at the centre. This uniform reflects their humility and commitment to living in spiritual and material poverty, following the example of Mother Teresa.
The traditional Indian dress was deliberately chosen by Mother Teresa to identify with the Indian people and be accepted into the local culture. The choice of the sari is also a way of sharing in the same condition of poverty and humility as those they serve. On their shoulders, the sisters wear a cross, symbolising their commitment to following Jesus Christ and bringing his love and compassion to the world.
The habit of the Missionaries of Charity is a tangible sign of their vow of poverty and their dedication to living a simple life, without owning material goods, but enriched by deep love and generous service to the most vulnerable in society.

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Nuns’ clothing

In this section you will find clothing for nuns and women’s religious garments…

The Missionaries of Charity Around the World

Today, there are around 6,000 Missionaries of Charity, present in over 130 countries. The sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s order run orphanages, homes for the terminally ill, dispensaries, schools, and shelters for the homeless. Their presence has been particularly significant in some of the poorest and most disadvantaged regions of the world, bringing hope and aid to those who need it most.

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Mother Teresa of Calcutta printed on canvas 40×30 cm

Mother Teresa of Calcutta printed on canvas 40×30 cm. This traditional image from Fratelli Bonella’s …

In Italy, 129 Missionaries of Charity operate in 18 communities, 5 of which are in Rome, where the main headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity is located opposite the Circus Maximus. In this location, postulants—young women in formation aspiring to become sisters of the congregation—are hosted. Additionally, in the same area, the central office for the postulation of the canonisation cause of Mother Teresa of Calcutta is situated.
However, the presence of the Missionaries of Charity in Rome is not limited to the training of new sisters and the canonisation processes. Just a few metres from the central house, the sisters run a shelter for over 60 homeless men. This place offers refuge, food, and assistance to those living in extreme poverty and hardship.
Moreover, the sisters are involved in a vital service of supporting needy families. Twice a week, they distribute clothing and food supplies to families in difficulty. In addition to on-site distribution, the sisters also visit families in their homes, bringing help and comfort.

Since 1983, the Missionaries of Charity have extended their work to Milan, in the Baggio district, where every evening they serve a hot meal to the poor, both Italians and foreigners, and offer shelter and support to single women with their children.
In 1993, the sisters also reached the city of Bologna, welcoming mothers and children, former prostitutes, and immigrant women, providing them with meals and clothing.
In Reggio Calabria, there is the Dono di Pace house, a reception centre run by the Missionaries of Charity. The sisters have also expanded to other Italian cities, such as Genoa, Turin, Naples and Florence, demonstrating everywhere their closeness to the most disadvantaged communities.