Mother Teresa (Ganxhe Agnes Bojaxhiu) 1910-1997
Agnes Bojaxhiu was born in Serbia, a country not noted for lengthy times of peace. In 1910, the year of Agnes' birth, the first Albanian Rising occurred; two years later the first Balkan War broke out. In another two years, World War I began, with Serbia entangled in it from the beginning.
Agnes' father, Kole, was a prosperous businessman. He was co-owner of a large building firm and later inherited a flourishing embroidery business. He and his partner acquired other business interests throughout the years. Because of his business commitments, Kole was frequently gone on business trips during Agnes' early childhood.
Upon returning from his European travels, Kole regaled his children with fascinating and humorous accounts of his experiences. When he was home, he usually filled the house with patriots, who had serious political discussions mixed with plenty of laughter and song. Not only political friends, but also priests and other church dignitaries were frequent guests in the Bojaxhiu, as were the needy and destitute.
Kole quietly distributed food and money to many, often giving packages of money, clothing, and food to his son, Lazar, with instructions to give them to the poor. His home was always open to the homeless and the poor. He often told his children, "Never take a bite of food that you are not willing to share with others."
Not only a humanitarian, Kole was also a strict disciplinarian who expected excellence from his children, in school and in anything they were doing. Interestingly, he was liberal enough to see that his two daughters were educated as well as his son.
When Agnes was eight, her father became very ill while attending a political meeting. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died. Many believed he had been poisoned by those who did not approve of his political stances and activities.
Agnes' mother, Drana, sold one of the family's houses, and Kole's business partner bought out Kole's portion of the business. Eventually, however, Drana had to find work to help support the family. She took up sewing and embroidery, earning a meager living for the family. She told her children they could ask her for anything they wanted, but she would expect, in return, that they be good children and an example to others. She also said, "When you do good, do it unobtrusively, as if you were tossing a pebble into the sea."
The family had evening prayers together, attended mass daily, and took part in all of the other church celebrations.
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