Macedonia marks 102. anniversary of Mother Teresa's birth

A premiere of 'Living With Mother Teresa' - work of art of Japanese Director Shigeki Chiba - will mark the 102nd anniversary of Mother Teresa's birth.

The film, produced in 2010 to mark her birth centenary, depicts how the spirit of Mother Teresa has been transferred in Japan; Japanese medical interns working in the House for The Dying in Calcutta, volunteers working for the hospice called "Hope House" in Sanya, Tokyo, and Sisters and Brothers of Mother Teresa, living with lonely elderly and homeless persons.

The film will be presented Sunday evening in the Mother Teresa Memorial House in Skopje.

Earlier today, the state 'Mother Teresa' awards for humanity and solidarity will be presented at the Army House in Skopje.

Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje on August 26, 1910. Her family was of Albanian descent. "By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus."

In late 2003, she was beatified, the third step toward possible sainthood. A second miracle credited to Mother Teresa is required before she can be recognized as a saint by the Catholic church.

Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation, which in 2012 consisted of over 4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries. Members of the order must adhere to the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and the fourth vow, to give "Wholehearted and Free service to the poorest of the poor". The Missionaries of Charity at the time of her death had 610 missions in 123 countries including hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis, soup kitchens, children's and family counselling programmes, orphanages and schools.

For over 45 years, she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying, while guiding the Missionaries of Charity's expansion, first throughout India and then in other countries. Her beatification by Pope John Paul II following her death (September 5, 1997) gave her the title "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta".

She was the recipient of numerous honours including the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. She refused the conventional ceremonial banquet given to laureates, and asked that the $192,000 funds be given to the poor in India.