From the Archives: Mother Teresa Visits Lauries

Saint Mother Teresa's message to the world was simple: love one another as Jesus loved us. 

Her visit to St Laurence's College in 1981 echoed this simplicity, it was humble, without pageantry and somewhat impromptu. It was likely that students went to school that day without realising they would be in the presence of a future Saint, listening to her address in what would become a landmark event in our College's history. 

Born in the Ottoman Empire (now Macedonia), the young Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu left her homeland at the age of 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto in Rathfarnham, Ireland. Following a year of English study and spiritual preparation, she arrived in India where she took her vows and began her life of service as Mother Teresa. Eventually settling in Kolkata, she held a post as a teacher at St Mary's High School for nearly two decades. 

During her days as an educator, she became increasingly concerned about those living in poverty in the slums of the city. After receiving special permission from her superiors at the convent, she left the school and decided to devote her time to caring for those deemed 'the poorest of the poor'. She launched an open-air school for the children in these areas, working with very little funds and relying on the help of kind volunteers. 

This eventuated into an order of her own, The Missionaries of Charity, with which she travelled the world helping the poor, war-struck and sick. Today, the Missionaries of Charity operate in over 130 countries, continuing St Mother Teresa's mission of aid. Mother Teresa herself was canonised as a Saint by the late Pope Francis in 2016. 

Mother Teresa was a special guest of the Mater Children's Hospital during their Golden Jubilee in 1981, with the visit orchestrated by Mercy Sister Angela Mary Doyle. Sr Angela Mary offered both St Laurence's College and All Hallows' School the opportunity of having Mother Teresa attend their schools following her visit to the hospital. 

Class of 1985 Old Boy Paul Gifford recalled her visit to the College during his recent 40 Year Class Reunion. He mentioned that her unexpected visit occurred during a Friday assembly, addressing the 968 students sitting in the quadrangle from the balcony above. She spoke to the boys about caring for those less fortunate than themselves and reminded them of the parts of their life that they may take for granted: their families, a fed belly, their school and the love of God. 

"Share the joy of loving by giving until it hurts," she said, in her main message to our students. 

"Not big things, but small things with great love." 

Paul admitted that through his young teenage lens, the magnitude of the holy visit may have been somewhat overlooked. Of course, the years have brought a great appreciation of the days’ significance – few today can look back on being in the presence of sainthood. 

All these years later, our students still connect with Mother Teresa and her mission. In 2025, a group of Lauries students made the pilgrimage to Kolkata, following in Mother Teresa’s footsteps to Mother House, St Mary’s School, the Missionaries of Charity and to her final resting place – visiting, volunteering and praying with the community she loved. While the times may have changed, her message of love, faith and compassion continues to inspire.