MOTHER TERESA Recent Titles in Greenwood Biographies Margaret Mead: A Biography Mary Bowman-Kruhm J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography Leslie Ellen Jones Colin Powell: A Biography Richard Steins Pope John Paul II: A Biography Meg Greene Malvasi Al Capone: A Biography Luciano Iorizzo George S. Patton: A Biography David A. Smith Gloria Steinem: A Biography Patricia Cronin Marcello Billy Graham: A Biography Roger Bruns Emily Dickinson: A Biography Connie Ann Kirk Langston Hughes: A Biography Laurie F. Leach Fidel Castro: A Biography Thomas M. Leonard Oprah Winfrey: A Biography Helen S. Garson Mark Twain: A Biography Connie Ann Kirk Jack Kerouac: A Biography Michael J. Dittman MOTHER TERESA A Biography Meg Greene GREENWOOD BIOGRAPHIES GREENWOOD PRESS , . WESTPORT CONNECTICUT LONDON Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Greene, Meg. Mother Teresa : a biography / Meg Greene Malvasi. p. cm.—(Greenwood biographies, ISSN 1540–4900) Includes index. ISBN 0–313–32771–8 (alk. paper) 1. Teresa, Mother, 1910– 2. Missionaries of Charity—Biography. 3. Nuns—India— Calcutta—Biography. I. Title. II. Series. BX4406.5.Z8G74 2004 271'.97—dc22 2004009232 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2004 by Meg Greene All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2004009232 ISBN: 0–313–32771–8 ISSN: 1540–4900 First published in 2004 Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.greenwood.com Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 CONTENTS Series Foreword vii Preface ix Introduction xi Timeline: Significant Events in Mother Teresa’s Life xiii Chapter 1 Skopje 1 Chapter 2 Answering the Call 13 Chapter 3 A New Direction and a New Journey 29 Chapter 4 Out of a Cesspool—Hope 39 Chapter 5 “Rigorous Poverty Is Our Safeguard” 53 Chapter 6 Kalighat 67 Chapter 7 Shishu Bhavan and Shantinagar: Places of Peace 79 Chapter 8 The Growth of a Miracle 91 Chapter 9 Blessings and Blame 105 Chapter 10 “The Most Obedient Woman in the Church” 123 Bibliography 143 Index 147 Photo essay follows page 66. SERIES FOREWORD In response to high school and public library needs, Greenwood devel- oped this distinguished series of full-length biographies specifically for stu- dent use. Prepared by field experts and professionals, these engaging biographies are tailored for high school students who need challenging yet accessible biographies. Ideal for secondary school assignments, the length, format and subject areas are designed to meet educators’ requirements and students’ interests. Greenwood offers an extensive selection of biographies spanning all curriculum related subject areas including social studies, the sciences, lit- erature and the arts, history and politics, as well as popular culture, cover- ing public figures and famous personalities from all time periods and backgrounds, both historic and contemporary, who have made an impact on American and/or world culture. Greenwood biographies were chosen based on comprehensive feedback from librarians and educators. Consid- eration was given to both curriculum relevance and inherent interest. The result is an intriguing mix of the well known and the unexpected, the saints and the sinners from long-ago history and contemporary pop cul- ture. Readers will find a wide array of subject choices from fascinating crime figures like Al Capone to inspiring pioneers like Margaret Mead, from the greatest minds of our time like Stephen Hawking to the most amazing success stories of our day like J.K. Rowling. While the emphasis is on fact, not glorification, the books are meant to be fun to read. Each volume provides in-depth information about the sub- ject’s life from birth through childhood, the teen years, and adulthood. A viii SERIES FOREWORD thorough account relates family background and education, traces per- sonal and professional influences, and explores struggles, accomplish- ments, and contributions. A timeline highlights the most significant life events against a historical perspective. Bibliographies supplement the ref- erence value of each volume.