Cebu is truly blessed to have been visited by a saint who not only came to our shores but also helped establish a home where the poor, abandoned, and forgotten could experience love and care.

St. Teresa of Calcutta, affectionately known throughout the world as Mother Teresa, was born Gonxha Agnes Bojaxhiu on 26 August 1910 in Skopje, in present-day North Macedonia. At a young age, she felt called to serve the poor. At eighteen, she left her home and joined the Loreto Sisters in Ireland, hoping to eventually serve as a missionary in India.

In 1929, she arrived in Calcutta, India, where she became a teacher at St. Mary’s School for girls. In 1937, after making her final vows, she became known as Mother Teresa. She was known for her charity, selflessness, courage, and joyful spirit.

However, God was preparing her for something greater.

On 10 September 1946, while travelling to Darjeeling for her annual retreat, Mother Teresa experienced what she would later call a “call within a call.” She felt Jesus asking her to leave the convent and establish a religious community dedicated to serving “the poorest of the poor.”

After years of prayer and discernment, Mother Teresa began her mission among the poor in the slums of Calcutta. She visited the sick, cared for abandoned people, and gathered children living on the streets. Despite the difficulties and poverty she encountered, she persevered in following God’s call.

On 7 October 1950, the Missionaries of Charity was officially established. From a small beginning in the streets and slums of Calcutta, Mother Teresa’s mission eventually reached different parts of the world.

Despite her advancing age and declining health, Mother Teresa continued travelling to places where poverty and suffering were present. One of those places was the Philippines—and most especially, Cebu.

On 3 January 1987, Mother Teresa visited Cebu and met with the late Archbishop of Cebu, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, in connection with the establisment of a home for the destitute. This home became known as Gasa sa Gugma, meaning “Gift of Love”, and is located in Barangay Luz, Cebu City.

Until today, the home, run by the Missionaries of Charity, continues Mother Teresa’s mission of serving the poor, abandoned, and vulnerable, especially the elderly.

Mother Teresa died on 5 September 1997 at the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. Her death was mourned by people from different nations, religions, and walks of life. Yet her mission did not end with her death.

On 19 October 2003, Pope St. John Paul II beatified her as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. On 4 September 2016, Pope Francis canonized her as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, officially placing her among the saints of the Catholic Church.

For the poor, the abandoned, and all who knew and loved her, she remains simply known as Mother.

Her legacy continues through the Missionaries of Charity and through the countless people inspired by her life of service. And here in Cebu, we are reminded of that legacy in a very special way.

A saint once walked in our city.
a saint once came to Cebu
and through her, a Gasa sa Gugma—a Gift of Love—continues to remind us that the poorest among us are never forgotten in the eyes of God.

St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.