Remembering Mother Teresa on Her 26th Death Anniv.

Today, September 5, marks the 26th death anniversary of Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, fondly known as Mother Teresa.

Born in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 26, 1910, Mother Teresa is known for her extraordinary efforts in the battle against global poverty.

At the age of 18, she moved to Ireland and later to India, where she lived most of her life.

She founded Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation, which grew to have over 4,500 nuns across 133 countries as of 2012. The congregation manages homes for people who are dying of HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis.

The congregation also runs soup kitchens, dispensaries, mobile clinics, children's and family counseling programs, as well as orphanages and schools. Members take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience and also profess a fourth vow: to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor."

Throughout her life, she received several honors, including the 1962 Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize and the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize.

Mother Teresa passed away on this day in 1997 in  Kolkata, India, at the age of 87. In recognition of her exceptional service to the poor, regardless of their religious affiliations, the United Nations designated September 5 as the International Day of Charity.