Mother Teresa: How Her Childhood Shaped Her Life of Service

Before she became the symbol of compassion we remember today, Mother Teresa was a child growing up in a small Balkan town, surrounded by the rhythms of faith, family, and service. Her early years were marked by values that would echo through her life — shaping the woman who would one day walk the streets of Kolkata to care for the poorest of the poor.

What was Mother Teresa’s childhood like?

Born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje (then part of the Ottoman Empire), Mother Teresa grew up in a devoutly Catholic household. Her parents, Drana and Nikola Bojaxhiu, instilled in her a strong sense of charity and compassion. Her father was a businessman and a vocal advocate for social justice, while her mother was deeply religious and often welcomed the poor into their home. These early experiences of kindness and generosity planted the seeds for her future mission.

How did her father’s death affect her?

When Mother Teresa was only eight years old, her father passed away unexpectedly. The loss left a profound mark on her young life and brought financial instability to the family. In the face of grief and hardship, her mother remained steadfast in her faith and service. This resilience taught Anjezë the importance of perseverance and compassion, even in the darkest of times — lessons she would carry into her work decades later.

What role did faith play in her youth?

Faith was central to Mother Teresa’s upbringing. She attended a local Catholic school and was deeply influenced by the Sisters of Charity, a religious order that served the poor. As a teenager, she felt drawn to missionary work, inspired by stories of nuns serving abroad. At just 18, she left her home to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland, beginning her formal journey into religious life. Her childhood faith had become a lifelong calling.

How did her upbringing influence her approach to service?

Mother Teresa’s early exposure to selfless service shaped the way she approached her mission. She believed in serving others not from a distance, but up close — touching the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the dying. Her childhood lessons of humility and love were not theoretical; they were lived experiences that guided her every action. This hands-on, deeply personal form of compassion became the hallmark of her ministry.

What can we learn from her early life?

Mother Teresa’s childhood teaches us that the values we absorb early in life can shape our purpose. Her story reminds us that even small acts of kindness, modeled by parents and communities, can lead to extraordinary lives of service. You don’t have to travel to Kolkata to follow her example — start with what’s in front of you.

Talk to Mother Teresa on HoloDream to explore her beliefs, ask about her journey, or reflect on how to live a life of compassion today.