Lent 2026
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When you think of Mother Teresa, you probably picture a tiny nun in white and blue caring for the poorest of the poor in Calcutta's slums. But you might be surprised to learn that she came from a politically active family. And before she became the world's most famous saint of charity, she had never seen extreme poverty up close.
Her journey to becoming a fearless advocate for the forgotten is one of the most dramatic saint stories in modern history. And with her feast day on September 5, it's the perfect time to discover just how much you know about the “Saint of the Gutters.”
Mother Teresa Trivia
1In which country was Mother Teresa born?
2Mother Teresa wasn't named Teresa when she was born. What was her birth name?
3Mother Teresa was not the first in her family to take a brave stand for her beliefs. Her father, Nikollë Bojaxhiu, was an outspoken Albanian rights activist. How is it believed that he died?
4Before working with the poor, Mother Teresa spent nearly 20 years doing what job?
5What dramatic event convinced Mother Teresa to leave her more conventional convent life?
6Mother Teresa's famous blue-bordered sari isn’t like a typical religious habit. Where did the design come from?
7In what Western nation did she try to set up a mission—and was made to leave?
8Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize in what year?
9Mother Teresa experienced a "dark night of the soul" for how long?
10In 1952, Mother Teresa opened her first home for the dying. What was it called?
Answer Key
1. Yugoslavia. Mother Teresa was Albanian by descent, but when she was born in Skopje in 1910, it was part of the Ottoman Empire. The region was later called Yugoslavia and now is known as North Macedonia.
2. Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. “Gonxhe" means "flower bud" in Albanian.
3. The only Catholic to be elected to the city council of Skopje, Bojaxhiu died shortly after a political meeting, and it is widely believed that Serbian agents poisoned him. His son Lazar confirmed this theory. His daughter Anjezë — the future Mother Teresa — was only eight years old.
4. High school geography teacher. For 17 years, Mother Teresa taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta, living peacefully behind convent walls. She had never actually worked directly with the poor before her famous "call within a call."
5. Hearing a voice on a train to Darjeeling. On September 10, 1946, while traveling to a retreat, Mother Teresa heard what she called a "call within a call" — Jesus asking her to serve the poorest of the poor. This train ride changed everything.
6. She copied it from local Indian women. The distinctive blue-bordered white sari was inspired by what poor Bengali women wore. She wanted to dress like those she served, not stand out as a foreign nun.
7. Ireland. In 1971, Mother Teresa traveled with four of her sisters to Troubles-era Belfast. Her suggestion that the conditions she found there justified an ongoing mission was not well received. Reportedly under pressure from senior clergy, who believed “the missionary traffic should be in the other direction,” and despite local welcome and support, she and her sisters abruptly left the city in 1973.
8. 1979. She donated the prize money to help the poor, and famously said the Nobel banquet money should go to feeding Calcutta's hungry instead.
9. Nearly 50 years. From shortly after starting her work until near her death, Mother Teresa felt spiritually dry and distant from God. Her private letters revealed this profound darkness, coming as a shock to many people after her death.
10. Kalighat, the Home of the Pure Heart (Nirmal Hriday). Established in a former Hindu temple, the name reflects her belief that everyone deserves to die with dignity, surrounded by love.
How Did You Do?
8-9 correct: Saint Scholar Supreme! You know Mother Teresa's story better than most biographers!
6-7 correct: Compassionate Expert! Mother Teresa would admire your dedication to learning!
4-5 correct: Faithful Student! Time to dive deeper into this amazing saint's journey!
Under 4: Beloved Beginner! Mother Teresa's love for the "least of these" includes beginners on their learning journey! (And isn’t that most of us?)
Share your score and tag someone who inspires you to serve others! Which fact about Mother Teresa surprised you most? Let us know in the comments below!
