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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our society.
Who are the Missionaries of Charity?
We are a Religious Congregation founded by Mother Teresa, of women consecrated to God through religious vows, who give wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor.
Who are the MC’s?
MC’s are the Missionaries of Charity, popularly known as Sisters of Mother Teresa.
Who founded the Missionaries of Charity?
The Missionaries of Charity was founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta in 1950. Her mission was to serve “the poorest of the poor” with love and compassion.
Who was Mother Teresa?
Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun, who hearing the call of God to go to the slums and the streets to serve the poorest of the poor, founded a Religious Congregation, the Missionaries of Charity, in Kolkata. She was a Catholic nun and missionary who dedicated her life to serving the poor.
When was the Missionaries of Charity founded?
The Missionaries of Charity was officially founded on October 7, 1950 in Kolkata. Now it is spread worldwide in 138 countries serving the poorest of the poor.
What is the mission of the Missionaries of Charity?
Their mission is to serve the hungry, the homeless, the sick, and those abandoned by society. The sisters strive to see Christ in every person and offer care without discrimination of faith, nationality or background.
Where is the tomb of Mother Teresa?
The tomb of Mother Teresa is at Mother House at 54A, A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata, India.
What is the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity?
Motherhouse is the Headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity. It is the house where Mother Teresa lived, worked and died. After the death of Mother Teresa it became a center for the pilgrims of all faiths and walks of life from all over the world. It is still the residence of many MC Sisters and has the tomb of Mother Teresa, her old room, a museum and a place for prayer.
What are the works that you do?
You can read more about our works of love by clicking here. The Sisters dedicate their lives to serving the hungry, the homeless, the sick, and the abandoned—always with love, dignity, and respect. Our work is to bring hope to those most in need.
Can men also join the Missionaries of Charity?
Yes. Alongside the Sisters, there are the Missionaries of Charity Brothers and Fathers. Both women and men can answer God’s call to serve in this special way. See their websites @https://www.mcfathers.org/, @https://www.mcbrothers.org/ and www.mccontemplative.org.
How do the sisters live?
The Sisters live simply, relying completely on God’s providence. They own no personal possessions and trust in generosity to carry out their work.
How many locations do you have?
Missionaries of Charity Sisters have 754 homes all over the world in 138 countries as of 2024
How do you serve the poorest of the poor?
By giving them immediate and effective service as long as they don’t have anyone to help them, assisting them in the streets, in the slums, and having homes for the sick and dying, the abandoned, physically and mentally challenged children and adults, rehabilitation centres for Leprosy patients, feeding centres and relief centres.
Who are the poorest of the poor?
The poorest to the poor are the sick and dying destitute, the unloved, the abandoned, the outcasts, all those who are a burden to human society, those who have lost all faith and hope in life.
How can I become a sister with the Missionaries of Charity?
If you feel the call of God to becomes a Missionary of Charity you can reach us through our vocations page, or contact any nearby center of the Missionaries of Charity.
How can I make a donation?
Contact the Missionaries of Charity through their official website or locally visit their houses. We do not ask for donations from any other website, via email, cold calling, nor through a Foundation or a Trust.
How can I volunteer with the Mother Teresa sisters?
Contact the nearest center or through the volunteer form on the website of Missionaries of Charity to serve in Kolkata.
How can I support your ministry?
You can support by offering your time, prayers or donations. The Sisters do not organize fundraisers, free will offerings are accepted directly through local Missionaries of Charity houses or through their website contact Free Will offering Form.
Do the Sisters serve only Catholics?
Not at all. The Missionaries of Charity serve everyone, regardless of faith or background, because their mission is rooted in love for every person. Every person is made in the image and likeness of God.
What is a Sister’s day like?
A Sister’s day is a balance of prayer and service. Their mornings begin with prayer and Mass, followed by work with the poor. They live a life of joy, simplicity, giving wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor.
How can I become a lay MC?
Visit the website of the Contemplative Brothers www.mccontemplative.org
How can I contact the MCs?
See the addresses for different regions on our Contact Us page.
Can I use Mother Teresa’s images?
Mother Teresa’s name, words, image and 3 blue stripes cannot be used without authorisation from the Missionaries of Charity. Many of the photographs are copyrighted. You must contact the copyright holders.
Can I use Mother Teresa’s name?
You cannot use Mother Teresa’s name without the authorisation of the successor of Mother Teresa. The name of Mother Teresa cannot be used for registering various NGOs, organisations, political parties, shops, restaurants, awards especially who are conducting online fund raising activities and donation campaigns.
What is the name of Mother Teresa’s Trust and who manages it?
Mother Teresa did not found any Trust; she founded a religious Order that is dedicated to the service of the poorest through humble works of love. She was not involved in projects and programs and educational institutions. Many unauthorised organisations project Mother Teresa’s life and work poorly and distort her values and legacy.
General Information
Where is the Mother House?
The Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity is on 54A, A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata 700016 India.
What is the Mass schedule?
Every day at 6 am and on Fridays also at 4.30 pm
Do you have a guest house?
No, we do not run guest houses.
Do I need permission to use Mother Teresa’s image(s)?
Write to MTC @www.motherteresa.org for permissions and approvals.
Who has the ownership of Mother Teresa’s name, teachings and content?
Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s Sisters).
When can I visit?
Usual visiting hours are 8 am to 12 noon 3 pm to 6 pm. Closed on Thursdays.
How can I contact the Mother House?
Through the contact form on the website www.missionariesofcharity.org or by telephone +91 833 589 2277
Where can I buy Mother Teresa books and medals?
Missionaries of Charity do not sell any books or holy articles.
Do I need permission to use Mother Teresa’s name for my business?
No business is to be named after Mother Teresa as these rights are preserved and trademarked by the sisters, according to the will of Mother Teresa.
Services & Programs
What services do you offer?
We have home for the abandoned, mentally/physically challenged adults and children, TB patients, malnourished children, Hansen’s disease centres, primary healthcare facilities, soup-kitchen, night shelters, homes for women in distress, sowing classes, supportive study, assistance to drug/alcohol addicted.
Do all the convents across the world offer the same services?
Each of our communities around the world tries to offer the services according to the specific need of the place, be it material or spiritual.
Do you run schools?
No, Missionaries of Charity do not run schools except slum schools to prepare children for regular schools. They also offer literacy and after school programs.
What is the home for the dying?
It is place for people picked up from the street very sick or dying. It is also known as Nirmal Hriday.
Do you have hospitals?
No, Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity do not run hospitals. We give immediate and effective service to the abandoned sick, the dying, abandoned mentally and physically challenged adults in our Homes as long they do have any one to help them.
Do you have orphanages?
No, Missionaries of Charity do not have regular orphanages. We have homes for abandoned mentally and physically challenged children as long as they do not have anyone to care for them.
Can I volunteer at your houses/programs?
Contact the Sisters locally or visit the website www.missionariesofcharity.org.
Sisters & Vocations
What do the MC Sisters do?
MC Sisters give wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor.
What is the process of becoming an MC Sister?
If you feel the call from God, kindly contact the Sisters and apply for “Come and See” in one of our vocations centres. Thereafter you will be guided to follow the formation program.
What does daily life look like?
Our day begins with prayer, meditation, Holy Mass and work with the poor and ends with the Adoration and prayer.
Where do the MC Sisters live?
Missionaries of Charity is based in Kolkata and are spread all over the world. See contact on the website of Missionaries of Charity.
Do I need to have a college degree?
No, we do not require any qualification, but we encourage those who wish to join us to complete at least class XII.
Are you active or contemplative sisters?
We have both an active and a contemplative Branch. Visit the website www.missionariesofcharity.org.
Donors & Freewill offering
How do MC’s raise their funds?
MCs do not raise funds. We and our poor depend entirely on Divine Providence both for our material and spiritual needs. We depend on free will offerings given by generous donors who know and see the work done by Missionaries of Charity.
Can I make a donation?
If you wish to donate or verify authenticity: Address: Mother House, 54A, A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata 700016, India; Phone: +91 833 589 2277, or use the form in the official website www.missionariesofcharity.org. Donations routed through this official contact are the safest and the most reliable.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, we can give you receipts for your offering which you can use for tax deduction purposes.
How can I include your ministry in my will or estate plan?
All documents are to be made only in the name of Missionaries of Charity, not in the name of Mother Teresa or any individual name of the Sisters.
Will my personal information be kept confidential?
Yes.
I made a donation to the Mother Teresa Foundation/Trust. Can I get a receipt?
Mother Teresa Foundation and Mother Teresa Charitable Trust is not an authorised organisations and they are not affiliated in any way with Missionaries of Charity
Do you organize fundraisers?
No, we do not raise funds. There are many fund raisers who are not authorised by Missionaries of Charity and raise funds for their own benefits and interests. If you encounter groups or websites using words like “Foundation”, “Trust”, of “Children’s Charity” with Mother Teresa’s name, they are not connected to the real Missionaries of Charity.
What are the different ways I can donate?
We accept cash, cheque and online. You can fill up the form Contact us on the official website www.missionariesofcharity.org and you will find a Free will offerings option which will put you in contact with a member of the Missionaries of Charity. It will not take you to a direct payment page.
Can I donate online?
Through the website contact us form. See above “What different ways I can donate?”
Do you accept non-monetary gifts (e.g. supplies, property)?
We accept any contribution given for the poor.
Will I receive acknowledgement for my donation?
Yes, for every donation a receipt is given.
Can I raise funds to support your mission?
No, We do not solicit for funds. We do not authorize anyone to solicit funds for us. We rely on God through people’s generosity directly on this website or at our Convents/Houses.
Volunteers
Can I volunteer?
Contact the houses of Missionaries of Charity in your city.
Is lodging available?
No, we do not provide any lodging.
Do I have to be a Catholic/Christian in order to volunteer?
No, people from all faith and walks come and volunteer with us.
Can I volunteer at convents/MC homes in other cities and countries?
Yes, you can visit or contact the community and offer your service.
What do I have to do to volunteer in Calcutta?
You can write using the form available on the website www.missionariesofcharity.org
What type of services will the volunteers provide?
They help in one of our centres.
Is there an age requirement for the volunteers?
Volunteers should be above the age of 16.
Do I need a visa to visit India?
Please contact the Indian Embassy in your country.