Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was Anjezë's initial perception of her missionary work?
What was Anjezë's initial perception of her missionary work?
- She realized it would be far more challenging than she expected. (correct)
- She found it to be exactly as she had imagined.
- She felt completely prepared for the experience.
- She was immediately inspired by the local culture.
What shocking sight influenced Anjezë's perception of Indian poverty in Madras?
What shocking sight influenced Anjezë's perception of Indian poverty in Madras?
- A Hindu funeral with mourners painting the deceased's face. (correct)
- Children playing in the streets.
- A market bustling with people.
- A traditional festival celebration.
How did the bustling city of Calcutta affect Anjezë and her companion upon arrival?
How did the bustling city of Calcutta affect Anjezë and her companion upon arrival?
- They felt an immediate sense of belonging.
- They were disappointed by the city's lack of activity.
- They were overwhelmed by the population density and noise. (correct)
- They quickly adapted to the environment.
What was the main mission of the Loreto Sisters at the Darjeeling novitiate?
What was the main mission of the Loreto Sisters at the Darjeeling novitiate?
What was Anjezë's situation before arriving in Calcutta?
What was Anjezë's situation before arriving in Calcutta?
Which language did Anjezë NOT learn while at the Darjeeling novitiate?
Which language did Anjezë NOT learn while at the Darjeeling novitiate?
Which emotion best describes Anjezë's feelings upon witnessing poverty in Madras?
Which emotion best describes Anjezë's feelings upon witnessing poverty in Madras?
At what age did Anjezë take her initial vows?
At what age did Anjezë take her initial vows?
Why was Anjezë nicknamed 'Bengali Teresa'?
Why was Anjezë nicknamed 'Bengali Teresa'?
Which saint inspired Anjezë to change her name upon taking her initial vows?
Which saint inspired Anjezë to change her name upon taking her initial vows?
What was the primary focus of Thérèse of Lisieux's work?
What was the primary focus of Thérèse of Lisieux's work?
What factor contributed to both Thérèse of Lisieux and Anjezë being canonized?
What factor contributed to both Thérèse of Lisieux and Anjezë being canonized?
Which of the following characteristics did both Thérèse of Lisieux and Anjezë share?
Which of the following characteristics did both Thérèse of Lisieux and Anjezë share?
What nickname was given to Thérèse of Lisieux reflecting her personality?
What nickname was given to Thérèse of Lisieux reflecting her personality?
How long after her death was Thérèse of Lisieux canonized as a saint?
How long after her death was Thérèse of Lisieux canonized as a saint?
What name did St. Teresa of Calcutta choose for herself after her baptism?
What name did St. Teresa of Calcutta choose for herself after her baptism?
Where was Teresa sent shortly after taking her religious vows?
Where was Teresa sent shortly after taking her religious vows?
What subjects did Sister Teresa teach at St. Mary's School?
What subjects did Sister Teresa teach at St. Mary's School?
What was a characteristic of the neighborhood surrounding the Loreto compound?
What was a characteristic of the neighborhood surrounding the Loreto compound?
What did the high walls surrounding the Loreto compound help to protect against?
What did the high walls surrounding the Loreto compound help to protect against?
What role did Sister Teresa primarily focus on during her working days?
What role did Sister Teresa primarily focus on during her working days?
What was Sister Teresa's attitude towards her work at the Loreto school?
What was Sister Teresa's attitude towards her work at the Loreto school?
What did Sister Teresa question about the effectiveness of education for Dalit children?
What did Sister Teresa question about the effectiveness of education for Dalit children?
What significant change occurred in Sister Teresa's location after four years?
What significant change occurred in Sister Teresa's location after four years?
How did witnessing extreme poverty affect Sister Teresa?
How did witnessing extreme poverty affect Sister Teresa?
What did Mother Teresa express in her letter to Fr. Jambrekovic regarding her dedication?
What did Mother Teresa express in her letter to Fr. Jambrekovic regarding her dedication?
What metaphor did Mother Teresa often use to describe her spiritual longing?
What metaphor did Mother Teresa often use to describe her spiritual longing?
What shift did Mother Teresa experience shortly after taking her final vows?
What shift did Mother Teresa experience shortly after taking her final vows?
What was a key theme in Mother Teresa's writings that reflected her experiences in service?
What was a key theme in Mother Teresa's writings that reflected her experiences in service?
Which aspect of Mother Teresa's later life shows a significant transformation from her past?
Which aspect of Mother Teresa's later life shows a significant transformation from her past?
What motivated St. Teresa of Calcutta to provide companionship to the poor during her early visits?
What motivated St. Teresa of Calcutta to provide companionship to the poor during her early visits?
What was one significant influence that shaped St. Teresa's commitment to the poor?
What was one significant influence that shaped St. Teresa's commitment to the poor?
Which of the following aspects of St. Teresa's work was notably impactful on the poor she served?
Which of the following aspects of St. Teresa's work was notably impactful on the poor she served?
In what year did St. Teresa begin visiting the poor in the Loreto compound?
In what year did St. Teresa begin visiting the poor in the Loreto compound?
What consistent reaction did St. Teresa observe from the poor she visited?
What consistent reaction did St. Teresa observe from the poor she visited?
What vow did Mother Teresa make in April 1942?
What vow did Mother Teresa make in April 1942?
What was a significant impact of wartime poverty in Calcutta?
What was a significant impact of wartime poverty in Calcutta?
Which role did Mother Teresa take on after the war?
Which role did Mother Teresa take on after the war?
How did India's independence in 1947 affect religious relations?
How did India's independence in 1947 affect religious relations?
What aspect of Mother Teresa's vow demonstrated its seriousness?
What aspect of Mother Teresa's vow demonstrated its seriousness?
What was one major consequence of World War II on the education system in Calcutta?
What was one major consequence of World War II on the education system in Calcutta?
What role did Mother Teresa take on during the war years?
What role did Mother Teresa take on during the war years?
Which event in 1943 significantly impacted the population of Calcutta?
Which event in 1943 significantly impacted the population of Calcutta?
How did Mother Teresa often obtain resources for her students during the wartime shortages?
How did Mother Teresa often obtain resources for her students during the wartime shortages?
What impact did the Japanese occupation of Burma have on India during World War II?
What impact did the Japanese occupation of Burma have on India during World War II?
What event led to widespread violence in Calcutta in 1946?
What event led to widespread violence in Calcutta in 1946?
What was the impact of Direct Action Day on Mother Teresa?
What was the impact of Direct Action Day on Mother Teresa?
How many people were estimated to be killed during the riots of Direct Action Day?
How many people were estimated to be killed during the riots of Direct Action Day?
Who declared Direct Action Day and called for the partitioning of India?
Who declared Direct Action Day and called for the partitioning of India?
Which group did Mother Teresa reach out to for support during the violence?
Which group did Mother Teresa reach out to for support during the violence?
Study Notes
Early Life and Missionary Dreams
- Anjezë (later known as Mother Teresa) dreamt of being a missionary in a foreign country
- Her initial experiences in Madras, India, with poverty and a Hindu funeral were shocking
- At the age of 18, Anjezë and a fellow postulant sailed from Ireland to Calcutta, India, a densely populated area
Loreto Novitiate and Early Influences
- The Loreto Novitiate was a British colony in the Himalayas, a popular resort town with a cooler climate
- Anjezë immersed herself in learning Bengali and Hindi, becoming fluent in both languages
- She took her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in 1931 at the age of 20, choosing the name Sister Mary Teresa of the Child Jesus
- She was inspired by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who had been canonized only 3 years earlier
Early Years at the Loreto Compound
- Sister Teresa was initially assigned to teach geography and history at a Loreto school in Entally, Calcutta
- The Loreto compound was a large, walled complex containing a school and an orphanage, serving hundreds of children
- She witnessed the poverty, squalor, and disease in Entally and the struggles of the Dalit people (the “untouchables”)
- Sister Teresa felt deeply saddened by the difficult lives of the poor and questioned the effectiveness of education alone in solving their problems
The Impact of World War II
- The war disrupted life in India, especially for the poor
- Calcutta was spared major combat but experienced air raids.
- Buildings, including the Loreto compound, were requisitioned for military use
- Students and teachers were evacuated to the country, with 300 students temporarily accommodated near the compound
- Sister Teresa was appointed principal of the temporary school, facing shortages of resources and food
- 1943 saw a devastating famine in India due to crop failures and increased food demands for soldiers, leading to extreme poverty and suffering in Calcutta
Mother Teresa’s Vow and Service
- Mother Teresa made a private vow to God in 1942, dedicating her life to serving Him and promising to do whatever He asked
- She continued her teaching and administrative work at Loreto, demonstrating her dedication and effectiveness
- Social tensions between Hindus and Muslims intensified during the war years
The Violence of Direct Action Day
- The Muslim League declared "Direct Action Day" on August 16, 1946, aiming to partition India into Muslim and Hindu nations
- Riots erupted in Calcutta, resulting in a massacre of 4,000 to 8,000 people, 15,000 injured, and 100,000 homeless
- Mother Teresa witnessed the horrors of the riots and provided food for her students
- Her health deteriorated, and she was deeply affected by the tragedy
A Spiritual Journey
- Mother Teresa felt a deep desire to serve Jesus and to “drink the chalice to the last drop”
- This thirst for love and service became a central theme in her writings
- She saw Christ in the poor and marginalized, dedicating her life to serving them
Leaving Loreto and a New Direction
- Mother Teresa’s life and work shifted away from the Loreto compound and towards the Calcutta slums shortly after taking her final vows
- This marked a significant change in her life, setting the stage for her future work among the poorest of the poor
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Description
Explore the early life of Mother Teresa, from her dreams of becoming a missionary to her initial experiences in India. Delve into her formation at the Loreto Novitiate and the influences that shaped her journey as she embraced her calling. Learn about her language acquisition and the beginnings of her dedication to teaching and service.
