While St. Teresa of Calcutta is most well-known for her work in India, she began her religious life in Ireland.
In 1928, Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu joined the Sisters of Loreto at Loreto Abbey in Rathfarnham, Ireland.
She only spent roughly two months in Ireland, for the specific purpose of learning English.
The Sisters of Loreto had schools in India and taught their students in English. Anjezë grew-up in North Macedonia in an Albanian family and needed to learn English.
Even though she only spent a few months in Ireland, later on she admitted that Ireland held a special place in her heart.
Dr. John Scally interviewed Mother Teresa before her death and she told him, "By blood and origin I am all Albanian. My citizenship is Indian. I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the whole world – and to Jesus. The people of the world are my people but I will always have a special place in my heart for Ireland."
The Missionaries of Charity continue to have a presence in Ireland, having houses in Dublin, Blarney, Sligo and Armagh.
