The evolvement of the Missionaries of Charity over the years

The Missionaries of Charity begun by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, is a leading catholic organization involved in missionary work and charity. This congregation is dedicated to serving and providing for the poorest of the poor and alleviating the sufferings of marginalized communities.

The Missionaries of Charity aims to provide the poor with basic amenities and the dignity
that they deserve. A healthy living, access to basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and
medicines, and respect in society, are not given to the less fortunate communities. Their
condition has improved over the years but has not been dealt with completely. Mother
Teresa along with her sisters, made active efforts and remained dedicated to the true cause
of their vocation.

Changes that have occurred in the MOC

Global

The Missionaries of Charity was established in the 1950s by Mother Teresa and over the
years has been subject to a lot of changes. It began with a group of nuns as small as 12 and
today has grown as large as 5,750 sisters serving in 139 countries. 

The vision began in Kolkata with a few homes and an orphanage for the children, to reform
their lives and alleviate their suffering, today it has expanded to about 244 homes in India
alone, each having a significant purpose. On a global scale, about 760 homes are functioning
and these branches of the Missionaries of Charity are spread out in Africa, Europe, Asia,
North America, Australia, South America, and more.

Administrative

The head of a religious institute, who operates as an in charge of the religious congregation
is referred to as the Mother Superior. Mother Teresa led the Missionaries of Charity until
1997. Her successors, Sister Mary Nirmala Joshi and Sister Mary Prema have carried on as
Superior General after her term and the current Mother Superior is Sister Mary Joseph,
elected in April 2022.

Evolution of their Habit

The sisters of the MOC are known for their detachment from materialism, simple living,
humble lives, and utmost devotion to their service. They lead a minimalistic life and adorn a
simple white saree with a blue border. This uniform is integral to their organization and they
are easily recognized due to their apparel. Earlier their sarees had a single blur border,
however, adopting the Bengali culture, the design was changed to three blue borders in
1960.

Summary

The sisters of the Missionaries of Charity follow a particular structure within the
organization which ensures smooth operation. The structure and hierarchy are to align the
services of the MOC with their goals and ideals, increasing the efficiency of the members,
and staying true to their beliefs.

The sisters are a living embodiment of the values, beliefs, and zeal of Mother Teresa. These
remarkable women dedicate their lives to wholeheartedly serving the poor, sick, lonely,
orphaned, and abandoned irrespective of their caste, creed, color, and faith.
Saint Teresa was a notable humanitarian who significantly contributed to society and made
a difference and today her love and commitment are continued by her sisters.

Author’s Bio
For further details and inquiries, do visit the official website of the Missionaries of Charity.