On the day she passed away, Mother Teresa left a poignant, faith-filled letter to her followers.

Fox News reported that this letter embodying her lifelong dedication, continues to guide the Missionaries of Charity in their spiritual and service missions.

Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje, North Macedonia, felt a strong calling to religious life from an early age. At just 18, she joined the Sisters of Loreto in September 1928, embarking on a path that would lead her to profound depths of service and devotion. She first took the name "Sister Mary Teresa," a nod to her spiritual ambitions.

By May 1931, she had made her first profession of vows and followed this with her final vows in 1937, after which she was known as "Mother Teresa." These milestones marked the beginning of a lifelong journey dedicated to the deepest acts of charity.

Mother Teresa's Charitable Works And Founding Of Missionaries Of Charity

In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation devoted to serving "the poorest of the poor." The impact of this organization would soon be felt worldwide, eventually growing to include over 5,000 members under Mother Teresa's guiding hand. Her leadership and vision set a global precedent for charity and selfless service.

On the morning of September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa penned what would become her final message to this community. Little did anyone know that these would be some of the last words she would share; she passed away later that day at the age of 87.

Her sudden death left her final letter, intended for her followers, unsigned. Sister Nirmala Joshi, her successor, later reflected on the unexpected nature of her passing, highlighting the unsent message as a spiritually significant artifact for all members of the Missionaries of Charity.

A Guidance Through The Spirit Of Our Lady

The contents of Mother Teresa's last letter are poignant and reflective of her deep religious conviction. She urged her followers to emulate the Virgin Mary's faith and service, aligning their actions closely with Marian devotion. This guidance was meant to fortify their spiritual resolve and dedication to service.

"Be only all for Jesus through Mary," she wrote, emphasizing the importance of Mary in Catholicism and her unique relationship with Jesus. Her words resonated as an echo of her life's work - a dedication to serving Christ through the least of society, guided by Mary's example.

They have since incorporated the letter into the liturgy every September 5, allowing it to serve as a continuous reflection on Mother Teresa's spiritual life and her vision for the future of her community.

The Legacy And Canonization Of St. Teresa Of Calcutta

The Roman Catholic Church canonized Mother Teresa almost two decades after her death, recognizing her as St. Teresa of Calcutta. This event on September 4, 2016, affirmed her worldwide legacy of charity and piety.

Religious leaders and scholars alike have reflected on the significance of her final writings. Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, O.P., noted, "In her last letter, Mother Teresa sums up much of her life's work, by looking at it through the lens of the Virgin Mary," highlighting the integral role of Marian devotion in her service approach.

Additionally, Fr. Jeffrey Kirby stated, "No one loved or served Jesus better in this life than Mary," thereby underscoring the aptness of Mother Teresa's choice to guide her followers to mirror Mary's life.

Emulating Mary's Faith And Service

Mother Teresa's teachings prompt an imitation of Mary's faith, selflessness, service, love, and cheerfulness. "Mother Teresa, therefore, points us to Mary and calls us to imitate her faith," noted Fr. Kirby, offering a lens through which to view her spiritual directives.

Sister Nirmala Joshi also emphasized the personal connection Followers should feel to Mother Teresa's teachings, stating, "I am sending this to you with great love. This is our Mother's last message to us. Let us take it to our hearts with much love and prayer," urging the community to internalize and live out the message of the beloved founder.

The ongoing influence of Mother Teresa's final message continues to resonate within the Missionaries of Charity and beyond, inspiring countless individuals to live out their faith selflessly in the service of humanity, all framed by a profound dedication to the example set by the Virgin Mary.