Mother Teresa devoted her life to helping the poor, the sick and the dying. As a Roman Catholic nun, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India. By the time of Mother Teresa’s death in 1997 her humanitarian efforts had spread to 123 countries with 610 missions. The great love and compassion that Blessed Teresa of Calcutta held for the poor and helpless of society has made her an international figure and the focus of many Catholic books and materials.